EU product rule changes for sellers: a dated log (GPSR, PPWR, toys, batteries)

Updated 29 October 2026

This is a dated log of rule changes that matter to businesses selling consumer products into the EU, newest first, with what to do and a link to the official text. Upcoming dates come first.

Coming up

2030-08-01 — The new Toy Safety Regulation applies

Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 replaces the Toy Safety Directive from 1 August 2030. Before placing a toy on the market, the manufacturer must create a digital product passport for it (Article 19). Online marketplaces must let sellers show the CE marking, the warnings before purchase and the link or data carrier to the digital product passport (Article 14). Toys placed on the market under the old directive before 1 August 2030 can still be made available afterwards (Article 57).

2030-01-01 — At most 50% empty space in e-commerce packaging (at the earliest)

Under PPWR Article 24, economic operators who fill grouped, transport or e-commerce packaging must keep the empty space ratio at 50% or less — from 1 January 2030 or three years after the Commission’s method is adopted, whichever is later. The Commission must adopt that method by 12 February 2028.

2028-08-12 — Harmonised sorting labels on packaging (at the earliest)

PPWR Article 12 requires a harmonised label on packaging showing its material composition, from 12 August 2028 or 24 months after the implementing acts, whichever is later. It covers e-commerce packaging too. National labels such as France’s Triman and Italy’s environmental label apply until then.

2027-08-18 — Battery due diligence obligations apply

Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 moved the start of the due diligence obligations in the Batteries Regulation from 18 August 2025 to 18 August 2027.

2027-02-18 — Battery passport

From 18 February 2027, every LMT battery, every industrial battery above 2 kWh and every electric-vehicle battery placed on the market needs an electronic battery passport (Batteries Regulation Article 77).

Already in force

2026-10-26 — Poland enters the first EPR representatives for foreign producers

The Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship has entered the first authorised representatives for extended producer responsibility for packaging and batteries acting for foreign entities in Poland’s BDO register, as of 26 October 2026 (announced 28 October). See selling in Poland.

2026-08-18 — New battery labels (at the earliest)

Batteries Regulation Article 13 requires labels with general battery information, and capacity information for rechargeable portable, LMT and SLI batteries, from 18 August 2026 or 18 months after the Commission’s implementing act on labels, whichever is later.

2026-08-12 — The Packaging Regulation (PPWR) applies

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 applies from 12 August 2026. For cross-border sellers the key change is Article 45(3): if you ship packaged goods directly to consumers in a country where you are not established, you must appoint an EPR authorised representative in that country. Online platforms must obtain your registration number and a self-certification before letting you sell (Article 45(4)). In Germany, the new VerpackDG replaced the Packaging Act on the same day — see selling in Germany.

2026-07-01 — €3 customs duty on low-value parcels

The duty exemption for goods worth up to €150 imported from outside the EU ended. Under Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382, a temporary €3 customs duty per item applies until 1 July 2028; an item means goods with the same tariff classification. The declarant — the seller or importer — pays it.

2026-03-09 — Safety Gate 2025: a record number of alerts

The Commission’s 2025 Safety Gate report counted 4,671 alerts about dangerous products, up 13% and the highest on record; cosmetics and toys made up more than half. By the end of 2025, more than 1,200 online marketplaces had registered in the Safety Gate Portal, as the GPSR requires.

2026-01-07 — Customs check: most third-country e-commerce goods failed EU standards

In a coordinated control, customs and market surveillance authorities checked 20,000 toys and small electronic items bought online from outside the EU. More than half did not follow EU product standards, and 84% of the items sent to laboratories were found dangerous.

2026-01-03 — Poland’s product safety act enters into force

The Act of 7 November 2025 on the supervision of general product safety gives UOKiK and the Trade Inspection their GPSR enforcement powers. See selling in Poland.

2026-01-01 — The Toy Safety Regulation enters into force

Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 was published on 12 December 2025 and entered into force twenty days later. Only its rules on notified bodies (Articles 28–44 and 49–55) apply from 1 January 2026; the rest applies from 1 August 2030.

2025-07-30 — Battery due diligence postponed

Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 was published, moving the battery due diligence obligations to 18 August 2027.

2025-07-28 — Commission: Temu preliminarily in breach of the Digital Services Act

The Commission preliminarily found that Temu did not properly assess the risk of illegal products being disseminated on its marketplace. These are not final findings; Temu can reply before the Commission decides.

2024-12-13 — The GPSR applies

Regulation (EU) 2023/988 replaced the General Product Safety Directive. See our guide to GPSR requirements.

What to do now

Check that every listing shows the manufacturer, an EU responsible person and warnings in the buyer’s language — compare published provider prices if you still need a responsible person.
Review your packaging EPR set-up for each country you ship to directly, now that representatives are mandatory under the PPWR.
Make warnings with the GPSR label generator and run the compliance checker for the full list.

Frequently asked questions

How often is this page updated?

When a rule changes or a date passes. Each entry carries the date of the change and a link to the official text; the date at the top shows the last review.

Does the new toy regulation already apply?

Not yet. Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 applies from 1 August 2030. Toys placed on the market under the old directive before that date can still be sold afterwards.

Sources

ohdock provides software tools and general information, not legal advice. Check the official texts, or ask a qualified adviser, for your situation.