New EU Packaging Regulation: robos-labels Is Monitoring Developments and Supporting Its Customers
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) starts to apply on 12 August 2026. As a result, many companies are receiving enquiries from their customers regarding declarations of conformity, substance restrictions and technical information relating to packaging and packaging components.
Robos-labels is also closely monitoring these developments. For manufacturers of technical products, one point is particularly important: not every labelling solution automatically falls within the scope of the new PPWR requirements.
PPWR: What Is Changing?
With the PPWR, the European Union is establishing a harmonised legal framework for packaging and packaging waste. Its aim is to make packaging more sustainable, optimise the use of materials and strengthen the circular economy throughout Europe.
The Regulation generally applies from 12 August 2026. However, many detailed requirements will only become mandatory over the coming years or will be further specified through additional implementing legislation.
At present, the main areas of focus include:
- Compliance with substance restrictions for packaging, such as heavy metals
- New requirements concerning PFAS in food-contact packaging
- Technical documentation and supporting evidence throughout the supply chain
Further requirements – for example regarding harmonised labelling, recyclability or recycled content – will be introduced gradually. Some will not apply until 2028 or until additional European rules and specifications have been published.
What Does the PPWR Mean for Industrial Labelling?
For companies in technical industries, one distinction is particularly important.
Permanent product labels, such as rating plates, CE markings or warning labels, which form a permanent part of the product and remain attached throughout its service life, should generally be distinguished from packaging labels.
Labels that form part of packaging, on the other hand, may fall within the scope of the PPWR. The specific assessment will always depend on the individual application.
This is precisely why a case-by-case assessment is preferable to a blanket approach.
How robos-labels Supports Its Customers
As a system supplier for industrial labelling solutions, we maintain an ongoing dialogue with manufacturers of self-adhesive materials, inks and other material partners. Together, we assess regulatory developments and determine which reliable information can already be made available to our customers today.
Our current focus is on the requirements that are actually relevant as of the applicable date – in particular substance restrictions such as those relating to heavy metals, as well as existing chemical regulations such as REACH.
We continuously monitor further PPWR developments and will incorporate relevant requirements into our material and product information as European rules and specifications become more clearly defined.
“The PPWR is a long-term regulatory initiative with numerous requirements being introduced at different stages. It is therefore important to distinguish between provisions that already apply and obligations that will become relevant in the future. Together with our material suppliers, we are closely monitoring developments and helping our customers identify and assess the requirements that are actually relevant to their specific applications.”
Michael Walcker-Mayer, Product- and Portfoliomanager, robos-labels
Taking a Practical Approach to Regulatory Change
The PPWR will have a lasting impact on the packaging industry over the coming years. At the same time, current developments show that many requirements will only take effect gradually and that numerous detailed provisions still need to be specified.
For manufacturers of technical products, a pragmatic approach is therefore advisable: monitor regulatory developments at an early stage, assess specific applications and establish reliable information throughout the supply chain.
As a partner to technical industries, robos-labels continuously supports this process – with in-depth material expertise, close cooperation with suppliers and a commitment to interpreting regulatory requirements in a practical, solution-oriented way.
