Green claims
From 27 September 2026, generic green claims, weak labels and offset-based neutrality claims become unfair commercial practices. The work is a claim register with evidence — not copy cleared in a last-minute legal review.
EUDR
Large and medium operators must apply EUDR from 30 December 2026. Due diligence only works if every relevant product can be traced to a plot — not to a country of origin.
Product passport
ESPR is the framework; the first hard passport date is 18 February 2027 for batteries. Manufacturers need structured product data that can be identified, hosted and updated — not a PDF behind a QR code.
EU pay transparency
The first reporting cycle begins with 2026 pay data. Readiness depends on clear definitions, connected evidence and accountable ownership — not a last-minute report.
CBAM
The definitive regime is already running on 2026 imports. The first annual declaration is due 30 September 2027 — and it is only as good as the embedded-emissions data suppliers can actually provide.
NIS2 cybersecurity
NIS2 is already in force. Covered entities need risk-management measures, supplier controls and an incident trail that can move in hours — not a policy pack assembled after the fact.
EU forced labour
From 14 December 2027, products made with forced labour cannot be placed on, sold in or exported from the EU market. Readiness is the ability to show the chain — not a policy on a shelf.
Packaging waste
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation generally applies from 12 August 2026. Recyclability, reuse, substances and reporting only work if each SKU’s packaging is a known object — not a supplier PDF in a shared drive.
EU accessibility
The European Accessibility Act already applies to covered products and consumer services. Compliance is continuous testing, issue handling and evidence — not a one-off audit before a launch.
Right to repair
From 31 July 2026, manufacturers of covered goods must repair at a reasonable price and in a reasonable time — including after the legal guarantee. The work is eligibility, parts, repairers and a file the customer and the law can follow.