European regulation of packaging is tightening faster than many importers expect. Whether your product is jewelry, cosmetics or consumer electronics, the box around it now carries legal obligations. We are Zhengyang Packaging, a printing and packaging factory in Dongguan, China, and we prepare this compliance paperwork — FSC chain-of-custody certificates and material declarations — for the European orders we ship.
The rules to know
- PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) — sets recyclability requirements and reduction targets across all packaging placed on the EU market.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) — importers may owe registration and fees in each country of sale.
- Recycled-content and FSC — many EU retailers require paper traceable to certified forests (FSC Chain of Custody), not just any kraft stock.
A practical checklist
- Ask for the material composition — know exactly what board, coating and ink are in your packaging.
- Confirm FSC availability — certified chain-of-custody paper should be offered as a standard option, not a special request.
- Request compliance documentation early — CE, RoHS and supplier audits take time; ask before placing the mass-production order.
- Design for mono-material — minimize plastic laminations and mixed-material components that complicate recycling.
How a certified converter helps
Suppliers holding ISO 9001, FSC CoC and SMETA or equivalent social audits can usually produce the documentation trail EU buyers need without friction. Verify the claim with certificates and audit reports, then lock the compliance requirements into your specification sheet — not your email thread.