Packaging Compliance & Sustainability Overview

Introduction

Whether you're a small brand or a multinational retailer, packaging today comes with increasing legal and environmental responsibilities. From EU-wide directives to country-specific regulations, producers are expected to comply with requirements on safety, labelling, traceability, recyclability, and sourcing.

At Embacollage, we’re committed to helping our customers stay compliant. We offer guidance, tools, and packaging solutions that align with local and EU-wide requirements — from labelling and registration to recyclability and food safety

EU-Wide Compliance Topics

 

 

We understand that packaging and sustainability regulations can be complex. That’s why we’re not just following the rules — we’re helping you stay ahead of them. Below is an overview of the most important EU-wide directives and regulations that may affect your packaging. Our role is to monitor these closely, ensure our products align with them, and guide you through what matters most for your business.

 

Regulation / Directive

Explanation

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)

This regulation applies to large EU-based companies and their global supply chains. At Embacollage, we take this responsibility seriously and conduct regular due diligence to ensure our sourcing processes uphold ethical, environmental, and human rights standards.

Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR)

Aims to eliminate deforestation-linked products from the EU market by requiring full traceability of materials like wood, palm oil, and soy. At Embacollage, we take this responsibility seriously by sourcing packaging materials from certified and traceable origins.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Under EPR, companies that place packaging on the market are responsible for registering with national authorities, reporting annual packaging volumes by material type, and covering recycling costs. We ensure compliance for our own branded materials and support you in understanding your obligations when we produce packaging for your brand.

For more see: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Across Europe 

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

This upcoming EU regulation will introduce harmonized rules on recyclability, reuse, and labelling. We support you by ensuring our standard and custom materials follow these principles as they come into force.

For more see: Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR)

General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

Establishes safety and labelling rules for consumer products sold in the EU. We support you by ensuring applicable requirements are met when we manufacture goods under your brand.

For more see: General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

Textile Labelling Act

Requires correct fibre content labelling on all textile-based products. We ensure material transparency and accurate labelling across all textile items we produce — whether part of our own range or custom-made for you.

For more see: Textile Labelling Requirements

Bisphenol A (BPA) Ban – from December 2024

Prohibits the use of BPA in food-contact packaging due to health concerns. We support you in ensuring compliance for custom food-packaging projects by selecting BPA-free, regulation-compliant materials.

For more see: Bisphenol A-Free Packaging (BPA)

Food Contact Materials (EC 1935/2004)

Sets safety requirements for materials in contact with food. We support you with compliant material choices and documentation when we produce custom food-contact items for your business.

For more see: Food Contact Materials (EC) 1935/2004

Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904)

Bans certain plastic items and requires labelling for others. We support you by advising on compliant alternatives and correct labelling when customising affected product formats.

For more see: Single-Use Plastics Directive (2019/904)

Voluntary Sustainability Certifications

We believe that sustainability should not only meet regulatory demands but exceed them. Many of our clients — and their customers — look for third-party verified assurance of responsible sourcing, ethical supply chains, and recycled content. Here are some of the most relevant certifications and voluntary standards we offer and what they mean:

 

Certification / Standard

Explanation

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification

Confirms that paper- and wood-based materials originate from responsibly managed forests, protecting biodiversity and promoting ethical forestry practices. Embacollage is an FSC-certified supplier, and while certification is not mandatory, we recommend certified materials and support you in selecting them to align with growing sustainability expectations.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation

REACH ensures that no substances of very high concern (SVHCs), as defined under EU chemical legislation, are present in finished products. Upon request, we support REACH compliance by verifying materials and providing documentation.

GRS (Global Recycled Standard) / RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) Certifications

Confirms that packaging materials contain certified recycled content and can be traced through the supply chain. Upon request, we help source and document materials that meet these voluntary standards.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Certification

Applies to organic textile components (e.g., cotton bags, ribbons) and confirms both organic content and socially responsible production methods. Upon request, we support sourcing and documentation for GOTS-compliant products.

EU-Wide Compliance Topics

 

We understand that packaging and sustainability regulations can be complex. That’s why we’re not just following the rules — we’re helping you stay ahead of them. Below is an overview of the most important EU-wide directives and regulations that may affect your packaging. Our role is to monitor these closely, ensure our products align with them, and guide you through what matters most for your business.

 

Regulation / Directive

Explanation

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)

This regulation applies to large EU-based companies and their global supply chains. At Embacollage, we take this responsibility seriously and conduct regular due diligence to ensure our sourcing processes uphold ethical, environmental, and human rights standards.

Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR)

Aims to eliminate deforestation-linked products from the EU market by requiring full traceability of materials like wood, palm oil, and soy. At Embacollage, we take this responsibility seriously by sourcing packaging materials from certified and traceable origins.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Under EPR, companies that place packaging on the market are responsible for registering with national authorities, reporting annual packaging volumes by material type, and covering recycling costs. We ensure compliance for our own branded materials and support you in understanding your obligations when we produce packaging for your brand.

For more see: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Across Europe 

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

This upcoming EU regulation will introduce harmonized rules on recyclability, reuse, and labelling. We support you by ensuring our standard and custom materials follow these principles as they come into force.

For more see: Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR)

General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

Establishes safety and labelling rules for consumer products sold in the EU. We support you by ensuring applicable requirements are met when we manufacture goods under your brand.

For more see: General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

Textile Labelling Act

Requires correct fibre content labelling on all textile-based products. We ensure material transparency and accurate labelling across all textile items we produce — whether part of our own range or custom-made for you.

For more see: Textile Labelling Requirements

Bisphenol A (BPA) Ban – from December 2024

Prohibits the use of BPA in food-contact packaging due to health concerns. We support you in ensuring compliance for custom food-packaging projects by selecting BPA-free, regulation-compliant materials.

For more see: Bisphenol A-Free Packaging (BPA)

Food Contact Materials (EC 1935/2004)

Sets safety requirements for materials in contact with food. We support you with compliant material choices and documentation when we produce custom food-contact items for your business.

For more see: Food Contact Materials (EC) 1935/2004

Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904)

Bans certain plastic items and requires labelling for others. We support you by advising on compliant alternatives and correct labelling when customising affected product formats.

For more see: Single-Use Plastics Directive (2019/904)

 

Voluntary Sustainability Certifications

 

We believe that sustainability should not only meet regulatory demands but exceed them. Many of our clients — and their customers — look for third-party verified assurance of responsible sourcing, ethical supply chains, and recycled content. Here are some of the most relevant certifications and voluntary standards we offer and what they mean:

 

Certification / Standard

Explanation

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification

Confirms that paper- and wood-based materials originate from responsibly managed forests, protecting biodiversity and promoting ethical forestry practices. Embacollage is an FSC-certified supplier, and while certification is not mandatory, we recommend certified materials and support you in selecting them to align with growing sustainability expectations.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation

REACH ensures that no substances of very high concern (SVHCs), as defined under EU chemical legislation, are present in finished products. Upon request, we support REACH compliance by verifying materials and providing documentation.

GRS (Global Recycled Standard) / RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) Certifications

Confirms that packaging materials contain certified recycled content and can be traced through the supply chain. Upon request, we help source and document materials that meet these voluntary standards.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Certification

Applies to organic textile components (e.g., cotton bags, ribbons) and confirms both organic content and socially responsible production methods. Upon request, we support sourcing and documentation for GOTS-compliant products.

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