On 26 June 2026, Spain has notified the WTO of a draft Royal Decree establishing the legal framework for textile and footwear products and the management of their waste. The proposal implements the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements for textiles and footwear under Directive (EU) 2025/1892 and Law 7/2022. It establishes requirements for the separate collection of textile waste, defines the conditions under which textile waste ceases to be waste and the rules governing the shipment of used products, and sets out the obligations of producers, collective EPR schemes and waste managers. The draft also introduces reporting obligations to the Register of Product Producers, requires annual reporting by EPR schemes and waste managers, and requires information on sustainable consumption to be provided to end users. Spain intends to adopt the Royal Decree in December 2026, with comments accepted until 25 August 2026.

On 13 July 2026, Spain has notified the WTO/TRIS of a draft Royal Decree establishing rules for the management of waste from single-use wet wipes and balloons placed on the Spanish market. The draft introduces an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for these products, requiring producers to finance waste management and litter clean-up costs. In addition to implementing Directive (EU) 2019/904 on single-use plastics, the proposal extends certain obligations to wet wipes made from unmodified natural polymers that do not comply with UNE 149002:2022, owing to their contribution to blockages in sanitation and wastewater infrastructure.

CEN/TS 18272-1:2026 – Textiles – Circular economy for textile products – Part 1: General principles and guidance was published on 15 July 2026. The Technical Specification establishes general principles and provides guidance on applying circular economy concepts across the textile value chain and value network, supporting the circularity of textile products. It applies to textiles and textile products, including non-textile components and materials, but excludes leather, fur products and footwear.

On 9 June 2026, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate introduced the No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026. The bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem certain substances unsafe for use as food contact substances, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ortho-phthalates, bisphenols, styrene polymers and antimony trioxide. If enacted, the legislation would prohibit the use of these substances in food contact materials and food processing equipment after a two-year transition period. Following its introduction, H.R. 9231 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.

On 19 June 2026, Rhode Island has enacted House Bill H7734, amending the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024. The legislation clarifies the Act’s enforcement provisions, authorises the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to participate in a multi-jurisdictional clearing house to support implementation of the law, and empowers the DEM to grant exemptions for products or categories of products from the Act’s prohibitions. The amendments also expand the definition of “covered product” and revise provisions relating to firefighters’ personal protective equipment. The Act was signed into law on 19 June 2026.

The European Commission has adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1425, establishing a new methodology for the calculation, verification and reporting of recycled plastic content in single-use plastic beverage bottles under the Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904. The Decision replaces Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2683 and introduces a harmonised framework covering both mechanical and chemical recycling. For recycling pathways where the proportion of recycled material cannot be directly determined, the Decision permits the use of mass balance accounting, subject to detailed calculation, traceability and third-party verification requirements. It also establishes common reporting formats for Member States and introduces criteria governing when recycled plastic from third countries may be counted towards the recycled content targets. The new methodology will support verification of the mandatory recycled content targets for PET beverage bottles while ensuring consistent implementation across the EU.

In July, the European Commission achieved a major milestone in the implementation of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Two critical implementing acts were adopted, providing the technical standards and operational rules necessary to launch the Digital Product Passport (DPP) system across the Union.

1. Harmonised standards:

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736 (14 July 2026)

To ensure that DPPs are interoperable, secure and usable across all Member States, the Commission has officially published the references for six new harmonised standards. These standards act as the blueprint for how companies must build their digital passport systems.Key standards adopted:

• • Data Exchange and Interoperability: New protocols (EN 18216 and EN 18223) establish a formal technical framework to ensure cross-sector interoperability and the seamless exchange of machine-readable data among diverse economic operators.
  • Unique Identification: Standard EN 18219 defines the requirements for unique identifiers that link a physical product to its digital twin.
  • Data Carriers: Standard EN 18220 provides the rules for physical links on products, such as QR codes or barcodes.
  • Storage and Persistence: Standard EN 18221 ensures that product data remains available and correctly archived throughout the product’s entire lifecycle.
  • APIs for Searchability: Standard EN 18222 sets out the rules for application programming interfaces (APIs), enabling authorities and consumers to search for and manage passport data more easily.
  • System Interoperability: Standard EN 18223 specifically addresses the “system of systems” architecture of the DPP ecosystem, ensuring that the diverse software and hardware used by manufacturers, consumers and authorities can function as a unified, interoperable network without technical friction or vendor lock-in.

2. The DPP Registry

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778 (16 July 2026)

The Commission has laid down the rules for the centralised DPP Registry. This registry is the “anchor” that customs and market surveillance authorities will use to verify product compliance at the border and on the shelf.Core features of the new registry:

• • The Verification Platform: Every DPP submitted will undergo an automatic check to ensure that it meets semantic and structural requirements before being accepted into the registry.
  • Verified Economic Operators: Manufacturers and importers must now complete a formal identity verification process to gain “verified” status, which is required in order to register or modify any product data.
  • Semantic Repository: To prevent confusion, the Commission is establishing a central repository of standardised vocabularies and data models. This ensures that a term such as “recycled content” means exactly the same thing in every language and sector.
  • Customs Interconnection: The registry will be linked directly to the EU Customs Single Window, allowing customs officers automatically to verify that a valid DPP exists before releasing goods for free circulation.
  • Data Longevity: Registry data will typically be retained for 10 years after a product is registered, ensuring long-term traceability for recyclers and repairers.

On 13 July, the European Commission adopted two measures to support the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The measures build on the legislative amendment agreed in December 2025 and form part of the simplification package presented in May 2026. The Delegated Act will now be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council for scrutiny before entering into force.

Product scope updated:

The Commission adopted a Delegated Act updating Annex I of the EUDR.

The Delegated Act removes the following products from the scope of the Regulation:

• cattle hides, skins and leather
• re-treaded tyres
• soybeans for sowing
• articles of vulcanised rubber
• conveyor and transmission belts
• aircraft and motor vehicle seats

The Delegated Act adds:

• soluble coffee
• certain palm oil derivatives
• frozen cattle tongues

According to the Commission, the changes concern products derived from commodities already covered by the EUDR and do not alter the list of commodities covered by the Regulation.

The Commission also states that:

• samples and products used for analysis, examination and testing are outside the scope of the Regulation
• targeted exemptions have been introduced for specific categories of products, including waste, used and second-hand products, packing material and products used in the manufacture of medicinal products

The newly added products will become subject to the Regulation from 30 December 2027, allowing businesses additional time to prepare.

Information system implementing rules adopted

The Commission also adopted an Implementing Act establishing the technical rules for the EUDR Information System. The updated system includes:

• simplified declarations for micro and small primary operators
• updated technical specifications for automated application programming interfaces (APIs)

Simplification package completed

The Commission states that these measures complete the simplification package presented in May 2026, alongside:

• An updated Guidance document
• Updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Guidance has now been formally adopted in all EU languages.

On 24 June 2026, the Council of the European Union agreed its negotiating mandate on the European Commission’s proposal to simplify and streamline several pieces of EU environmental legislation. The Council supports measures to reduce administrative burdens and improve the efficiency of implementation while maintaining the policy objectives of the legislation. The proposed amendments cover reporting obligations under the Waste Framework Directive, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the Single-Use Plastics Directive, the Batteries Regulation, the WEEE Directive, the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive, the Industrial Emissions Directive, and the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) Regulation. The Council’s agreement enables negotiations with the European Parliament to begin before the legislation can be formally adopted.

On 24 June 2026, the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend the Energy Labelling Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and the Tyre Labelling Regulation (EU) 2020/740 to simplify labelling requirements and make better use of digital solutions. The proposal would allow certain information currently required on physical labels to be provided digitally, while ensuring that essential information remains available on the label itself. It also introduces measures to simplify obligations for suppliers and dealers, reduce administrative burdens and improve the management of product information through the EPREL database. According to the Commission, the proposal forms part of the EU’s simplification agenda while maintaining consumers’ access to key information for purchasing decisions.

On 29 June 2026, the European Parliament has adopted an own-initiative report on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in preparation for the 2026 UN High-Level Political Forum. The report calls for renewed EU commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, highlighting the need to better integrate the SDGs into EU policymaking, strengthen policy coherence, improve monitoring and reporting, and reinforce cooperation with international partners. The report will serve as the Parliament’s political contribution to the EU’s participation in the 2026 High-Level Political Forum.

In July 2026, the European Commission has launched a Call for Evidence on an implementing act that will establish the conditions under which recycled materials imported into the EU may be counted towards the recycled content targets under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

In July 2026, the European Commission has launched a Call for Evidence on an implementing act that will establish harmonised rules for calculating and verifying recycled content in plastic packaging under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The initiative aims to develop a common methodology for determining recycled content and the corresponding verification requirements to support the implementation of the PPWR’s recycled content obligations for plastic packaging. The Commission is seeking stakeholder feedback before preparing the implementing act.

On 3 July 2026, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Act revising the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The revised standards are intended to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining the availability of sustainability information for investors and other stakeholders. According to the Commission, the revisions reduce the number of mandatory data points, simplify narrative reporting requirements, improve consistency with other EU legislation and international standards, and provide greater flexibility in the application of materiality assessments. The Delegated Act has now been transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council, which will scrutinise it before it can enter into force.

In June 2026, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has published a study examining the introduction of mandatory sustainable carbon content targets for products. The report recommends prioritising packaging and textiles, identifying them as the sectors with the greatest potential for climate impact reduction and noting that both already fall within the scope of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). According to the study, delegated acts under the PPWR and ESPR could provide legislative pathways for introducing product-specific targets for sustainable carbon content, including recycled and bio-based carbon, without requiring changes to the core legislative frameworks. The report presents these recommendations as policy options for future implementation rather than as existing or proposed EU legal requirements.

On 3 June 2026, France has published three Orders dated 3 June 2026 approving producer responsibility organisations (éco-organismes) under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging used to market products consumed or used by professionals. Under the French Environmental Code, producers of packaged products used or consumed by professionals must either establish an approved individual compliance system or join an approved eco-organisation to fulfil their waste management obligations. The Orders grant approval until 31 December 2031 to:

• CITEO PRO, approved as an eco-organisation for the professional packaging EPR scheme until 31 December 2031
• LEKO PRO, approved as an eco-organisation for the professional packaging EPR scheme until 31 December 2031
• TWIICE, approved as an eco-organisation for the professional packaging EPR scheme until 31 December 2031

On 24 June 2026, the Swiss Federal Council has adopted a new Packaging Ordinance (Verpackungsverordnung, VerpV) establishing a comprehensive framework for packaging design, producer responsibility, collection and recycling. The Ordinance replaces the existing Beverage Packaging Ordinance and introduces phased obligations between 2027 and 2032. From 1 January 2030, packaging placed on the Swiss market must, where technically feasible and economically reasonable, be limited to the minimum necessary volume and mass, be designed for collection and recycling, contain the highest possible proportion of recycled content, and avoid substances of very high concern (SVHCs) listed under Article 70(1) of the Swiss Chemicals Ordinance. The Ordinance also introduces extended producer responsibility requirements, recycling targets, reporting obligations and an advance disposal fee for glass packaging

On 23 June 2026, the UK Government announced a package of measures to strengthen efforts to prevent products linked to illegal deforestation from being placed on the Great Britain market. The Government confirmed that it will launch a public consultation later in 2026 on the implementation of mandatory due diligence requirements for businesses handling key forest-risk commodities.

The proposed due diligence regime will build on powers provided under the Environment Act 2021 and is expected to apply to businesses dealing in cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy and timber. According to the Government, companies would be required to carry out due diligence to ensure that relevant commodities have been produced in compliance with the laws of the country of origin before being placed on the market in Great Britain.

The announcement is closely linked to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which introduces mandatory due diligence requirements for operators placing the same forest-risk commodities on the EU market. While the UK proposal would initially focus on illegally produced commodities, the Government states that it intends to design the regime, where appropriate, so that it is interoperable with the EUDR, in order to reduce unnecessary regulatory divergence and facilitate trade for businesses operating across both markets. The Government has also indicated its longer-term ambition to move beyond illegal deforestation towards a broader deforestation-free approach.

On 25 June 2026, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has published a retrospective of recent Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rulings on environmental claims, highlighting recurring compliance issues for advertisers. The publication reminds businesses that environmental claims must be clear, accurate and supported by robust evidence, and that the basis of comparative environmental claims must be explained to consumers.

In May 2026, a bill has been introduced in the Philippine Congress proposing the introduction of mandatory recycling labels on consumer product packaging. The proposal would require covered products to display standardised information to help consumers correctly identify and dispose of packaging materials, with the aim of improving waste segregation, increasing recycling rates and supporting the country’s circular economy objectives. The bill also provides for the development of implementing rules on label design, content and placement, and assigns responsibility for oversight and enforcement to the competent authorities.

On 22 June 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has launched a public consultation on draft amendments to the Export Trade Control Order and related measures to implement recent decisions under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The proposal would add long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) and their salts, LC-PFCA-related compounds, chlorpyrifos, and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) to the list of chemicals subject to export controls. The consultation is open from 22 June to 22 July 2026, with the amendments scheduled to enter into force on 22 November 2026.

On 2 July 2026, the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for Packaging (No Time to Waste) Bill 2026 was introduced into the Australian Senate as a Private Senator’s Bill. The Bill proposes the establishment of a mandatory national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging, replacing Australia’s current reliance on voluntary and co-regulated packaging stewardship arrangements. If enacted, the Bill would require the Minister for the Environment to establish the scheme by making rules under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 within three months of Royal Assent, while allowing for transitional measures to support implementation.