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Everything Manufacturers Need to Know About the New Packaging ERP Legislation
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Packaging legislation is changing. From July 2025, extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws will begin rolling out across key global markets, beginning in the U.S. and rapidly expanding throughout Europe and beyond. These laws are set to shake up how packaging is designed, tracked, reported, and disposed of, and the cost of non-compliance could be millions in fees, fines, or even market access bans.

So, what exactly is Packaging EPR? When will it come into effect? And what does it mean for your labeling and artwork management strategy? Well, Kallik’s here to break it down.


What Is Packaging EPR?


Packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a global legislative framework that shifts the responsibility for packaging waste management from consumers and municipalities to the producers and importers of packaged goods.

Under these laws, manufacturers will be legally required to:

  • Register with a designated producer responsibility organization (PRO)
  • Submit detailed packaging specification and sales volume data
  • Pay fees based on packaging type, volume, and sustainability credentials.

According to Gartner's EPR legislation guide, “Packaging EPR is a legally binding requirement that includes financial fees, fines and penalties for noncompliance”. In short, it's no longer optional for businesses to track, audit, and manage their packaging lifecycle, it’s law.


When Is It Coming Into Force?


United States: Oregon and Colorado are leading the charge, with EPR legislation taking effect from 1st July 2025. California follows in 2026.

Europe: The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was approved in late 2024, requiring businesses across the EU to comply with stricter packaging rules over the next few years.

The Environment Agency is already issuing enforcement penalties for non-compliance, including a recent £414,000 penalty to Budweiser Budvar for failing to register as a packaging producer.


Why Is It Being Introduced?


Packaging EPR aims to address the global crisis of packaging waste by holding producers financially accountable for the full lifecycle of their packaging. It incentivizes sustainable design choices through eco-modulation — charging higher fees for harder-to-recycle materials and rewarding those who adopt recyclable, reusable, or recycled-content packaging.

Gartner notes: “The practice of ‘eco-modulation’ will set standards and financial incentives for preferred materials and packaging formats, leading organizations to rationalize current packaging designs and invest in new materials, manufacturing equipment and transportation practices.”


What Does It Mean for Labeling and Artwork Management?


Compliance isn't just about materials, it's also about data. Packaging EPR laws demand detailed submission of material composition, physical construction, recyclability, and usage volumes – all of which must be traceable and up to date.

This has major implications for labeling and artwork:

  • Label content must reflect accurate material claims and recyclability info.
  • Regulatory statements must be updated in line with jurisdiction-specific requirements.
  • Mass changes to label copy or design must be made quickly to remain compliant.
  • But most businesses don’t have the tools in place to make these changes at scale.


How to Prepare for Packaging EPR


Gartner recommends: “Compliance software solutions may be required to address the complex submission requirements… Advanced data solutions can reduce the time and financial impacts of conducting these assessments.” That’s where Veraciti™ comes in.

Kallik’s Veraciti™ software is a labeling and artwork management solution built for the complexity of highly regulated environments, including packaging EPR.

With Veraciti™, manufacturers can:

  • Perform accurate, mass label updates at scale
  • Maintain a single source of truth for packaging data across markets
  • Ensure artwork is version-controlled, auditable, and compliant.

While many legacy systems might take six months or more to update 10,000 labels, Veraciti™ customers can do it in just 14 days. In fact, Gartner highlights Kallik’s Veraciti™ among the recommended tools to support packaging compliance, thanks to its strong focus on automation, traceability, and rapid deployment capabilities.


The Bottom Line


Now is the time to future-proof your labeling and packaging operations before the next regulation or update is announced. The companies that act now to centralize their packaging data, automate their labeling workflows, and ensure end-to-end compliance will avoid penalties, stay competitive, and build more sustainable operations. Those that don’t risk market access, brand reputation, and escalating costs.

If you’re ready to explore what a future-proof, end-to-end, fully digital labeling process looks like, book a demo with our team today and see how Veraciti™™ can transform your labeling and artwork management. Alternatively, speak to one of our experts on +44 (0) 1827 318100 or enquiries@kallik.com.