The ability to ship products and materials abroad is one of the best ways to expand business horizons, reduce production costs and tap into global consumer demand. There’s more that goes into this though with each country having different shipping regulations that can have a significant impact on the packaging materials that can be used. It’s forced more packaging to become sustainable, as many countries attempt to achieve less emissions and Net Zero by 2050. There’s also now a demand for less hazardous goods or materials to be used.
This guide will provide you with more information about shipping regulations and how they affect the use of packaging materials. Continue reading to learn more.
How Regulations Affect Packaging Materials
Sustainability and Recyclability
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has taken effect throughout 2026, which has resulted in there being a higher requirement for less waste within the use of packaging materials. Materials must be minimised in volume and weight, reducing the use of multi-materials laminates that can be difficult to recycle. Plastic packaging is also now required to contain minimum percentages of recycled content.
From late 2026, the EU will also ban exporting plastic waste to non-OECD countries, influencing the supply chain for waste packaging. While no longer in the EU, those with a British Citizenship still face regulations for plastic waste exports, as they require Prior Informed Consent before exporting any plastic waste.
Phytosanitary Measures
Phytosanitary Measures have completely transformed the production and logistics of using wooden packaging material (WPM). It was first introduced to prevent invasive wood pests (like from devastating foreign ecosystems. These rules have altered how global supply chains view timber, making it a much rarer material to use within packaging.
Hazardous Goods
Shipping dangerous goods has strict rules if you want to adhere to international standards. Materials that are considered hazardous need to be UN-approved, with containers needing to be certified and tested to withstand pressure. It also needs to be resistant from any vibrations or temperature changes, so the hazardous materials don’t cause any negative effects. If there’s any chance of hazardous materials leaking out of the container, it isn’t legible to be shipped.
There’s several types of hazardous goods that fall under these regulations, including:
- Explosives (fireworks, ammunition)
- Flammable gases or liquids
- Toxic or non-toxic gas
- Combustible solids
- Oxidising agents
- Toxic substances
- Corrosives
- Radioactive materials
Empty Space Regulations
Regulations in Europe are limiting the amount of empty space in packaging, such as limiting it to a maximum of 50% empty space for e-commerce. This will be enforced from 2030 and will force retailers to reduce the use of oversized boxes, which use up more material and can be bad for the environment. Materials like bubble wrap and air cushions must be minimised, forcing companies to adopt right-sized packaging to avoid fines.
Labeling and Documentation
Packaging must now contain professional labels with detailed information that shows the country of origin. This makes sure that it can be tracked back to where it was sent in the event that anything wrong occurs. It also needs to have the appropriate handling symbols, for example, if there’s any fragile products in the packaging. There might also be a future law that makes it so QR codes or digital trackers for reporting compliance are necessary.
Final Thoughts
When you’re shipping goods from one country to another, you need to ensure that you stay aligned with all laws and regulations regarding the materials used for packaging. Fines for breaking any laws can be significant, particularly under new EU environmental regulations. Goods can then be denied entry or returned, if they aren’t suitable to be shipped with their chosen material.