Automation, artificial intelligence, cloud technology, sustainability... 2025 has seen us discuss many major developments and trends in labeling and artwork management – not to mention all the regulatory updates! Digital transformation has accelerated massively in the last year, and brands now face more pressure than ever to deliver packaging that is both compliant and consumer-centric. The year showed just how critical strong labeling and artwork management has become for any organization operating in regulated markets.
So let's take a look back at the previous twelve months, focusing on what's changed, what some of the biggest organizations in the world have been discussing, and some of the lessons learned.
Regulations That Shaped 2025
The most significant shift came from the implementation of the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Unlike the previous directive-based framework, the PPWR established a single, harmonized set of rules across all EU member states. Companies now need verified conformity assessments and a formal Declaration of Conformity before releasing packaging to market. The regulation also introduced stronger requirements around recyclability labeling, material identification, disposal instructions, and in many cases digital access to product and sustainability information through QR codes or other scannable features.
Other regulatory changes added further complexity. Updates to the EU’s Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation introduced new hazard classes, prompting many businesses to revise chemical labels and artwork. Tighter restrictions on PFAS and other substances, as well as growing policies targeting unnecessary packaging volume, forced brands to reexamine formats, materials, and artwork content earlier and more frequently in the production cycle.
Taken together, these shifts made compliance not just a deliverable but a strategic discipline. Companies that were well prepared found themselves able to adapt quickly. Those relying on outdated systems struggled to keep pace.
Industry Trends and Lessons Learned
Digital transformation was once again the defining theme of the year. As regulatory expectations continued to rise, more organizations invested in centralized labeling and artwork platforms capable of automating version control, strengthening approval workflows, and reducing reliance on email or shared-drive processes. To top it off, AI-driven tools are leading the way and helping teams identify compliance risks earlier, accelerate artwork revisions, and maintain consistency across global product portfolios. (Click here to find out more about AI can help with label and artwork management.)
Sustainability, quite rightly, continued to shape design and decision-making throughout the year too. With connected packaging leading the way, this not only helps with sustainability but also provides more transparency, from recyclability guidance to environmental credentials. Many organizations recognized that the artwork on a package is no longer just a regulatory requirement but a touchpoint that influences trust, perception, and loyalty.
Speed was another defining theme. Product lifecycles shortened, artwork changes increased, and companies sought greater agility in how they created, reviewed, and deployed labeling. The businesses that achieved the fastest time-to-market were those that strengthened their digital foundations and removed manual roadblocks.
Challenges That Persisted
Even as progress accelerated, 2025 exposed familiar challenges. Many organizations have continued to rely on fragmented workflows, making it hard to track changes, manage approvals, or ensure accuracy. These gaps create real risk for compliance errors or delays, especially as regulations become more demanding. At the same time, digital transformation brought its own hurdles. Migrating to new systems required investment, cultural adaptation, and new skills. Without a clear strategy, companies continue to risk adopting tools without improving processes.
A Year That Reset Expectations
If 2025 taught the industry anything, it is that labeling and artwork management now sit at the center of business performance. Compliance, sustainability, consumer engagement, product launches, and supply-chain agility all connect back to how effectively organizations manage packaging content. Brands that invested in modern systems discovered reduced risk and new efficiencies – especially when mass changes are required for regulatory updates. While brands that delayed transformation discovered how quickly complexity can compound and lead to major business setbacks.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The year ahead promises more change. Additional PPWR guidance is expected in 2026, setting more detailed implementation rules and further tightening sustainability and recyclability criteria. Connected packaging will continue expanding, bringing dynamic digital experiences into mainstream use. AI will move from experimentation to everyday application, with tools that support real-time regulatory updates, automated artwork quality checks, and more intelligent global content coordination.
We’ll be publishing a dedicated blog before the end of the year to explore what’s coming in 2026 in greater depth. That piece will help you understand the changes on the horizon and outline the steps your organization can take now to prepare your labeling and artwork processes for what’s next.
We're Giving Away Five Amazon Vouchers for Answering our 2025/2026 Labeling Survey!
We’re currently running a short industry survey on labeling and artwork challenges for 2026, and we’d really appreciate your input! Your insights could help shape our upcoming 2026 industry report. If you can spare five minutes, take the survey and enter our draw for one of five $/£50 Amazon vouchers.
Want to Know More About How Kallik Can Help Your Business?
Interested in learning how Kallik helps organizations achieve complete regulatory compliance with zero errors and total consistency? Contact us here or check out our case studies to see real-world examples of how we've helped some of the biggest global manufacturers.