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From 12 August 2026, new labelling rules under the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) apply. However, packaging already manufactured and in stock by this date does not need to be destroyed, changed or relabelled. The required information can instead be provided in accompanying documents. For packaging made after 12 August 2026, this is only allowed in certain cases.

The European Union has fined AliExpress 550 million euros for not doing enough to stop illegal and unsafe products from being sold on its platform. This record fine shows that online marketplaces must take more responsibility for product safety and better adhere to EU rules.

Europe is producing more wind and solar power than its electricity grids can handle. This causes clean energy to be wasted, low or negative electricity prices, and grid congestion. Battery storage can help by saving extra power and releasing it when demand is high. The EU is now making battery storage a key part of its energy strategy.

The new EU Packaging Regulation aims to make packaging more environmentally friendly and strengthen the circular economy. However, a lack of planning certainty, extensive reporting requirements and additional bureaucracy could make things difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The EU is closely reviewing JD.com’s planned takeover of a major European electronics retailer. Germany has approved the deal with strict data rules, but the EU is checking whether Chinese state support could give JD.com an unfair advantage. A final decision is still pending.

The new German Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) can take effect on 12 August 2026, alongside the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The law will set German rules for responsibilities, registration, inspections and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

A new EU customs fee makes small orders from outside the EU more expensive. The goal is to reduce cheap imports and give European retailers a fairer chance. However, Temu, Shein and AliExpress may reduce the impact by changing how they ship goods.

SMEs face more challenges than ever: new EU rules, rising compliance demands, global competition, cybersecurity, the circular economy and AI. The key question is: How can SMEs stay competitive without being overwhelmed by regulation?

The PPWR raises a key question for private-label products: is the retailer or supplier responsible for packaging compliance? The ZSVR currently sees the retailer as the producer, bringing significant documentation, liability and EPR obligations. Industry associations are calling for a clear, uniform interpretation, while companies should clarify packaging responsibilities early to avoid costly uncertainty.

From 1 July 2026, retailers and producers in Germany must take back end-of-life e-cigarettes free of charge, increasing responsibility for lithium batteries. With battery fires and poor recycling on the rise, calls for deposit schemes, stronger producer responsibility and even bans on disposable e-cigarettes are growing. The key question is now: will take-back schemes be enough, or will stricter measures follow?