trade-e-bility News and Press Releases

The PPWR now applies all across the EU. Companies selling packaging or packaged products must follow specific rules for registration, labelling, conformity and documentation; missing or incorrect data can lead to fines, warning letters, sales bans and other costly delays.

The PPWR came into force on 12 August 2026, but there are exceptions for packaging already on the market. Left-over packaging that was supplied before this date can usually still be sold. The new PPWR rules only apply to packaging placed on the EU market after that.

EmpCo sets stricter rules for environmental advertising. General declarations such as “sustainable” or “environmentally friendly” now need very clear evidence. Thus, companies should review their claims carefully to avoid legal action, fines or sales bans.

The European Commission has recently published several updates on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). These include new guidelines, updated FAQs and changes to the products covered by the Regulation. The goal is to make the rules easier to understand and help companies prepare.

Germany’s textile recycling system is facing growing challenges due to falling reuse rates, increasing recovery costs, and materials that are difficult to recycle. To counter these trends, policymakers are seeking to strengthen producer responsibility through better product design, greater use of textile-to-textile recyclates, and improved transparency about material content.

Recent rules are changing how companies manage returns, excess stock, and unsold goods. Reporting obligations for unsold consumer products are already in place, and restrictions on destroying certain textiles and footwear now apply to large companies. Businesses should review their products, data, and processes now to prepare in time and stay compliant.

The PPWR applies to businesses that place packaging on the EU market – thus also affecting UK companies selling to the EU. They need to adapt their packaging, processes and data to meet new EU standards for recyclability, material use and documentation.

The packaging rules of the future are already taking shape; By 2030, companies will face stricter requirements on recyclability, packaging design, and data reporting. Early preparation can reduce costs and make compliance easier.

The EU Battery Regulation introduces new rules for product data, supplier information, and documentation. Companies should update their processes now to stay compliant.

Even durable carrier bags may be subject to dual-system participation under the German Packaging Law Implementation Act. What matters is not whether a bag may be reused, but its original purpose. For many retailers, this decision may entail additional disposal and licensing costs.