Packaging, Products & Sustainability Rules Businesses Face in 2026

Beyond Transport: Packaging, Product & Sustainability Rules Businesses Face in 2026

While emissions regulation is a major focus for shipping in 2026, businesses moving physical goods also face significant sustainability and compliance changes beyond transport.

These rules affect packaging, waste movements, product traceability, sustainability reporting, and environmental claims — areas that are often overlooked until compliance deadlines approach.

Packaging & Waste: Increased Scrutiny

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

From 2026, UK Extended Producer Responsibility fees will be modulated based on packaging recyclability.

Businesses placing packaging on the UK market must:

• Appoint a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO)
• Submit detailed packaging data via PackUK
• Pay higher fees for packaging that is harder to recycle

This places greater importance on packaging design and accurate data capture across fulfilment operations.

Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT)

The UK Plastic Packaging Tax will increase again in April 2026, applying to plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content. Packaging material choices therefore continue to carry direct cost implications.

Waste Shipments Regulation

From 21 November 2026, new EU rules introduce:

• A ban on exporting plastic waste to non-OECD countries
• Mandatory fully digital notification and tracking for waste shipments

This has particular implications for returns, disposal, recycling, and cross-border waste movements.

Product Traceability & Sustainability Information

Digital Product Passports & Ecodesign

The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation enters enforcement during 2026.

Key changes include:

• A ban on destroying unsold apparel and footwear for large enterprises (from 19 July 2026)
• The phased introduction of Digital Product Passports, requiring structured product and traceability data

Although not all sectors are affected immediately, 2026 is widely seen as a preparation year for systems, data and supplier alignment.

Detailed product data is a growing requirement — from Digital Product Passports to customs obligations — and understanding documentation fundamentals can help. For practical tips on essential documentation for international shipping, see our post on A Complete Guide to Sea Freight Shipping Documentation

Reporting, Due Diligence & Environmental Claims

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

In 2026, a wider group of large companies must submit their first CSRD reports, covering the 2025 financial year.

This increases demand for reliable Scope 3 emissions data and places additional expectations on logistics and supply-chain partners.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

The application of the EU Deforestation Regulation has been postponed:

• Medium-sized and large operators and traders: applicable from 30 December 2026
• Micro and small operators and traders: applicable from 30 June 2027

Once in force, regulated commodities must be shown to be deforestation-free, legally produced, and supported by robust due diligence and geolocation data. For many businesses, 2026 remains a key preparation year.

Ensuring accurate product and sustainability data feeds into compliance and traceability requirements — this connects back to core processes like commodity classification, which we cover in Commodity Codes Explained.

Anti-Greenwashing Rules

From 27 September 2026, EU anti-greenwashing rules prohibit generic environmental claims unless supported by verifiable data and evidence.

Accuracy and consistency in sustainability messaging are now essential.

For a deeper look at how sea freight contributes to environmental impact and actions being taken industry-wide, see our post on the environmental impact of sea freight and how to reduce it.

What Businesses Should Be Doing Now

Across packaging, products, and reporting, the direction of travel is clear:

• Improve the quality and structure of sustainability data
• Review packaging and waste processes early
• Ensure responsibilities are clear across suppliers and partners

How RWLS Can Help

As a freight forwarding, fulfilment, and warehousing provider, RWLS supports customers navigating these wider sustainability requirements as part of their supply chain.

If you’d like to discuss how packaging, waste, or product-level sustainability rules may affect your operations, please contact the RWLS team.