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37 articles
EU regulationPPWR: Commission pushes the sorting label back to 2027The implementing act for the EU sorting label is now planned for the second quarter of 2027. What this means for the labelling obligation and why the declaration of conformity is still mandatory.
29 Oct 2026 · 6 min
EU regulationPPWR: EU Parliament votes for EPR reliefThe EU Parliament wants to free small EU firms from appointing a representative in every destination country. What was adopted on 20 October and what still applies.22 Oct 2026 · 7 min
Digital Product PassportDigital Product Passport: why manufacturers should start with their data nowWith the Digital Product Passport, the effort lies not in the QR code but in the product and material data behind it. Why a solid data foundation is decisive, what it involves and why manufacturing companies should not wait for the delegated act for their product group.14 Oct 2026 · 7 min
EU regulationPPWR: MEPs back pause of representative dutyThe EU Parliament’s Environment Committee wants to pause the authorised representative duty for small EU firms. What was adopted and what applies until then.11 Oct 2026 · 8 min
Digital Product PassportWebinar with the IHK: the Digital Product Passport – what needs to be done?On 27 October 2026, Oskar Cornelissen will explain in a free webinar hosted by the IHK Mittlerer Niederrhein what the Digital Product Passport requires, how companies can prepare their product data and where digitalisation pays off beyond compliance.6 Oct 2026 · 6 min
EU regulationAuthorised representative for packaging: what France requiresAnyone selling packaged goods to customers in France without an establishment there has had to appoint an authorised representative since July 2026. What French law and the PPWR require of that person, and what the mandate should cover.
5 Oct 2026 · 9 min
EU regulationPPWR vs UK EPR: recyclability comparedThe same pack can be compliant in the EU and rated “red” in the UK. How PPWR performance grades and the UK traffic-light assessment differ — and what follows.1 Oct 2026 · 12 min
EU regulationEmpCo in practice: where you do more than required and how you may say soSince 27 September 2026, generic environmental claims are prohibited. Specific achievements that go beyond the legal minimum can still be advertised. How to identify them and word them safely.
29 Sept 2026 · 9 min
EU regulationPPWR and the pharmaceutical industry: which exemptions apply and what remains mandatoryThe Commission confirms the special status of medicinal product packaging. But the exemptions are narrow: they cover recyclability, recycled content and, case by case, labelling — not the other PPWR obligations.26 Sept 2026 · 8 min
EU regulationWood Pallets for Europe: pallet industry forms Brussels alliancePallet manufacturers, EPAL and Woodpack Global will now represent their interests in Brussels jointly. Who is behind it, what the alliance wants and which PPWR obligations for pallets are already fixed.25 Sept 2026 · 6 min
EU regulationA grace period until 2028: what the industry associations are asking forGerman retail association HDE wants a transition period until 1 January 2028, while a business alliance campaigns under “Stop the Clock”. What is being demanded, how likely it is, and what applies in the meantime.20 Sept 2026 · 8 min
EU regulationInnovate or else: is the PPWR driving green innovation — or just red tape?From 2028, even the sticker on an apple has to be compostable. The PPWR forces companies to get creative. But does that produce real innovation — or mostly new paperwork?18 Sept 2026 · 7 min
EU regulationMissed the LUCID registration? What to do nowNewly obliged producers had until 12 September 2026 to register; existing entries must be up to date by 12 November. How to catch up in Germany.16 Sept 2026 · 6 min
EU regulationPPWR fines in Germany: tiers, amounts and dates under the VerpackDGGermany's VerpackDG sets what breaches of packaging law cost. For missing conformity documents it is mostly up to €10,000, from 12 February 2027. Who is liable, who enforces, and which tier applies to what.13 Sept 2026 · 6 min
EU regulationPPWR: relief for small retailers proposedGermany wants retailers below ten tonnes of packaging exempted from the authorised representative duty. What the proposal contains — and what applies until then.9 Sept 2026 · 8 min
SectorsThe PPWR in footwear and fashionShoe box, tissue paper, shipping carton: which PPWR duties hit footwear and fashion, who counts as the manufacturer and what happens to empty space in 2030.6 Sept 2026 · 10 min
DigitalisationProduct data after the sale: the blind spotBrands measure everything up to checkout and nothing after it. What a scan touchpoint delivers, what it decides — and where the limits are.1 Sept 2026 · 9 min
EU regulationPPWR existing stock: can you still sell old inventory?PPWR grandfathering explained: packaging lawfully placed on the market before 12.08.2026 may continue to be sold off. What applies to existing stock?28 Aug 2026 · 8 min
DigitalisationThe QR code on your packaging: duty and opportunityThe digital data carrier on packaging arrives in stages. What actually becomes mandatory, when — and why more than a PDF belongs behind it.26 Aug 2026 · 10 min
EU regulationPPWR penalties and fines: what you actually riskPPWR penalties and fines in brief: what market surveillance can order today, from when fines apply, and why a ban on sale often weighs heavier than the money.24 Aug 2026 · 4 min
EU regulationDigital Product Passport: the roadmap to 2030Batteries 2027, textiles 2028, electronics 2029: which DPP deadlines are legally binding, which are merely planned — and how to tell them apart.20 Aug 2026 · 9 min
EU regulationPPWR labelling: Art. 15 applies today, Art. 12 not before 2028PPWR labelling: identifier and manufacturer details under Art. 15 apply since August 2026, the Art. 12 label at the earliest in 2028, realistically 2029. QR code only for reusable packaging. As of October 2026.18 Aug 2026 · 9 min
EU regulationPPWR: how to read Brussels’ climbdownThe PPWR has applied since 12 August 2026 — and the Commission recommends not sanctioning parts of it for now. What that means in practice.15 Aug 2026 · 9 min
Practice & toolsPPWR since August 2026: what applies right nowPPWR since August 2026: what has actually applied since 12.08.2026, who must issue the DoC, what suppliers provide and what only arrives in 2028 to 2030. As of October 2026.12 Aug 2026 · 8 min
Evidence & documentationTechnical documentation vs DoC: what goes in the dossierDeclaration of conformity under Annex VIII or technical documentation under Annex VII — what is the difference, what belongs where, and why the declaration is worthless without the documentation.3 Aug 2026 · 7 min
Digital Product PassportDigital Product Passport: run it yourself or outsource?Does the manufacturer have to host the digital product passport itself? No — for the back-up copy the ESPR even requires an independent third-party service provider.29 Jul 2026 · 9 min
Practice & toolsPPWR checklist: what you must do now, by rolePPWR checklist by role: what manufacturers, distributors and importers must do since 12.08.2026 and what you only record as a precaution. As of October 2026.26 Jul 2026 · 9 min
Circular economyCalculating recycled content: step by stepCalculating recycled content correctly under PPWR Art. 7: minimum quotas for 2030/2040, the formula per manufacturing plant and evidence in the technical documentation, step by step.20 Jul 2026 · 9 min
Circular economyRecyclability A, B or C? The PPWR gradesThe PPWR grades recyclability as A, B or C. How to determine your grade, which one applies from 2030/2038 — with a threshold table and practice notes.16 Jul 2026 · 9 min
EU regulationManufacturer or producer? The PPWR rolesManufacturer and producer are two roles with different obligations. Who carries which — and how you become a manufacturer without meaning to.13 Jul 2026 · 10 min
EU regulationGerman Packaging Act vs PPWR: what changes in 2026?VerpackG or PPWR — what applies when? The key differences, the new obligations and why both apply in parallel, at a glance with a comparison table.9 Jul 2026 · 8 min
EU regulationPPWR basics: the EU Packaging Regulation explainedWhat is the PPWR? Regulation (EU) 2025/40 at a glance: objectives, roles, packaging in scope, obligations and deadlines — explained in plain language.6 Jul 2026 · 11 min
Circular economyRecyclability: what it means and why you have to request the data from your suppliersWhether packaging is recyclable depends on its material, structure and components. That data sits with your suppliers. Here is how to request it properly.3 Jul 2026 · 9 min
Practice & toolsDeclaration of Conformity under the PPWR: creating the declaration and the technical documentationThe PPWR requires a declaration of conformity under Annex VIII and technical documentation under Annex VII for every packaging. What goes into them and what to watch out for.30 Jun 2026 · 9 min
SustainabilityCSRD & ESG: how sustainability reporting, PPWR and the product passport interlockSustainability report, PPWR evidence, Digital Product Passport and EPR reporting largely need the same data. Where the obligations interlock and how to connect them.26 Jun 2026 · 9 min
EU regulationEmpCo Directive: what applies to environmental claims now and how to avoid greenwashing risksSince 27 September 2026, generic environmental claims and self-awarded labels are prohibited. What the EmpCo Directive requires and how to substantiate your claims.23 Jun 2026 · 9 min
DigitalisationDigital Product Passport (DPP): laws, deadlines and why it is also a marketing channelThe Digital Product Passport brings product data to the phone with a scan. Which laws require it, when it applies and how brands use it as a channel after the purchase.19 Jun 2026 · 9 min
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