Product rules library
EU and UK product rules, explained
What each rule asks of companies that make, import or sell products: who is covered, the duties, the key dates and the product data you need to hold. Written in plain words, with a link to the official text.
Die Details der Vorschriften werden auf Englisch angezeigt.
EU rules
Rules for products placed on the market in the European Union. Northern Ireland follows many of them.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
ESPR is a framework law: durability, repairability, recycled content, carbon footprint and a Digital Product Passport become mandatory for a product group only when the Commission adopts a delegated act for it, with at least 18 months to prepare. Two parts apply directly today: large companies may not destroy unsold clothing and footwear, and must disclose the unsold goods they discard.
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
The PPWR replaces the Packaging Directive with one regulation for every packaging format and every company in the packaging chain. It sets substance limits (PFAS in food-contact packaging already applies), harmonised sorting labels from 2028, recyclability, recycled content, minimisation and reuse requirements from 2030, and EU-wide rules for producer registration and EPR in each country.
Batteries Regulation
The regulation covers every battery placed on the EU market, alone or built into a product: substances, performance, labelling, carbon footprint, recycled content, EPR and supply-chain due diligence. EV, light means of transport (LMT) and industrial batteries over 2 kWh need an electronic battery passport reached through a QR code from 18 February 2027.
REACH — substances of very high concern in articles, and the SCIP database
If an article contains a Candidate List substance (SVHC) above 0.1 % by weight, the supplier must give business customers enough information for safe use, and consumers on request within 45 days. EU suppliers of such articles must also notify ECHA's SCIP database, and importers and producers must notify ECHA above 1 tonne a year.
Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo)
EmpCo adds green claims and durability tricks to the EU list of commercial practices that are always banned. Generic eco-claims without proof, sustainability labels without certification and 'carbon neutral' product claims based on offsetting are now illegal in marketing to consumers. Traders must also inform consumers about durability, repairability and guarantees.
Extended Producer Responsibility (packaging, electrical equipment, batteries, textiles)
EPR makes the company that first makes a product available in a country pay for its collection and recycling, usually by joining a producer responsibility organisation. Registration is national: a seller registers, reports and pays separately in every country it sells into, including cross-border online sales. Textiles and footwear get mandatory EPR from 2028.
Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS)
Electrical and electronic equipment on the EU market, including cables and spare parts, must not exceed limits for ten hazardous substances in any homogeneous material unless an exemption applies. Compliance is shown with technical documentation, an EU declaration of conformity and CE marking.
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D / CSDDD)
Only very large companies must identify, prevent and remedy human-rights and environmental harms in their operations and chain of activities. Omnibus I (2026) narrowed the scope sharply, removed the climate transition plan duty and the EU civil liability regime, and moved application to July 2029. Smaller suppliers are affected only through limited information requests.
UK rules
Rules for products sold in Great Britain, shown next to the EU rule they mirror where there is one.
REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 as it applies in Great Britain (UK REACH)
Anyone supplying an article in Great Britain that contains a UK Candidate List substance (SVHC) above 0.1 % by weight must pass on safe-use information, at least the substance name, and answer consumer requests within 45 days. Importers and producers of articles must also notify HSE above 1 tonne a year. Companies relying on EU registrations have until 2029–2031 to submit GB dossiers.
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
Electrical and electronic equipment placed on the GB market must stay within limits for 10 substances, with technical documentation, a declaration of conformity and a UKCA or CE mark. CE is accepted in GB while EU and GB requirements stay the same, but not where an EU exemption has no GB equivalent.
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 (packaging EPR)
UK businesses supplying packaging above the thresholds must register every year and report packaging data; large producers also pay PackUK disposal fees and meet recycling obligations. From 2026-27, fees are higher for packaging rated red under the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) and lower for green. A deposit return scheme for drinks containers starts in October 2027.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013
Businesses that make, rebrand, import or distance-sell electrical equipment into the UK must register as producers and finance collection and recycling, usually through a compliance scheme. Retailers must offer free take-back of old equipment. Since 2025 online marketplaces count as producers for goods from overseas sellers.
The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 and The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009
In Great Britain, batteries must meet mercury and cadmium limits and carry the crossed-out bin and chemical symbols; producers register and finance collection and recycling. In Northern Ireland sellers already follow the EU Battery Regulation, including the battery passport from 18 February 2027 for EV, light means of transport and industrial batteries over 2 kWh.
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (unfair commercial practices) and the CMA Green Claims Code
Since April 2025 the CMA can decide for itself that a business broke consumer law and fine it up to 10 % of global turnover or £300,000, whichever is higher. Misleading environmental claims are unfair commercial practices; the Green Claims Code explains how to stay on the right side, and manufacturers, brands and retailers can each be liable for repeating a false claim.
Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025
The Act lets ministers make product rules by regulation, including product information, online marketplace duties, traceability and rules that copy EU law for environmental purposes. The government has consulted on 'digital by default' product information and asked for evidence on UK digital product records, but has not decided its approach for Great Britain.
Modern Slavery Act 2015, section 54 (transparency in supply chains), and forest risk commodities (Environment Act 2021)
The UK has no general due diligence law like the EU CS3D. Businesses with £36 million turnover or more must publish an annual modern slavery statement; a 2026 Bill would make the registry mandatory and add fines. The government plans GB due diligence on forest-risk commodities (wood, cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy) for businesses above £1 million turnover, with legislation expected in 2027.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Answer five short questions in the free Regulation Navigator and get your own map: the rules that apply, your next deadlines and the data each rule needs.
Orientierungshilfe, keine Rechtsberatung. Jede Vorschrift zeigt den amtlichen Text und das Datum der letzten Prüfung. Prüfen Sie den amtlichen Text oder fragen Sie eine Fachberatung, bevor Sie sich darauf verlassen.