From 2026 onwards, the new 2026 regulations will enter into force across the European Union. These rules will significantly modify the requirements applicable to products, supply chains and logistics operations. For importers and exporters, these changes will require greater anticipation in terms of regulatory compliance, costs and operational organisation.

Key regulations impacting products and logistics:

European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR)

Date of application: from 12 August 2026

Key requirements:

• Packaging placed on the European market must be recyclable in accordance with harmonised criteria.
• Certain packaging will be required to include a minimum percentage of recycled material.
• Companies must be able to trace the materials used and provide reliable environmental data.
• Reporting obligations will apply to manufacturers, importers and distributors.

Direct impact: product design, supplier selection and technical documentation.

European fee on small parcels

In addition, the European Union will introduce a €3 fee per small parcel entering from a third country, mainly targeting e-commerce and B2C flows. Companies will need to adapt their shipping strategies (consolidation, forward warehouses).

Date of application: from 1 July 2026

Digital Product Passport (DPP)

Progressive rollout until mid-2026.

Certain products will be required to have a digital passport accessible via a QR code or an equivalent medium. This passport will include information on:

• Product identity;
• Regulatory compliance;
• Sustainability and traceability. 

Direct impact: centralisation of product data and guaranteed access to information for authorities, distributors and customers.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Full implementation in 2026.

• End of the transitional phase.
• Introduction of carbon costs on certain imported products (steel, iron, cement, etc.).
• Strengthened requirements for emissions measurement and reporting.

Sustainability and ESG reporting requirements

Ongoing reinforcement – key milestones in 2026.

Companies will be required to provide more detailed environmental, social and governance data through the CSRD (sustainability reporting) and CSDDD (due diligence) directives.
Greater emphasis will be placed on supply chain traceability.

European Cyber Resilience Act (EU Cyber Resilience Act)

Progressive entry into force – impact from 2026.

Finally, for products integrating digital components (hardware and software), companies will need to ensure:

• Cybersecurity integration throughout the entire product lifecycle;
• Comprehensive documentation, from the design phase through to market withdrawal. 

As a result, anticipating the new 2026 regulations and their impact on products and logistics will enable companies to secure their competitiveness and minimize operational risks.