As we step into 2025, the printing industry finds itself at a pivotal moment, navigating significant regulatory updates and adapting to evolving market demands. This year brings both challenges and opportunities, requiring careful preparation and collaboration to ensure continued success. From compliance with new frameworks to engaging in transformative industry events, the stage is set for a dynamic and impactful year.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) represents one of the most significant regulatory shifts for the industry. The Regulation’s application has been postponed by one year, following European Parliament approval in late 2024. The final formalities, including Council adoption of the postponement and publication, took place in the last few days of 2024. This delay provides companies additional time to prepare for compliance, with a review of the regulation scheduled by mid-2028 to explore potential simplifications for compliant regions. Intergraf has already launched training on the use of the EUDR Information System and will release an updated guidance document in January 2025, with further training sessions planned if needed.
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which came into force in December 2024, introduces new compliance requirements for print buyers. While the legislation includes a risk-based approach for intrinsically safe products like print media, printers may need to provide technical specifications such as chemical safety data sheets to support compliance documentation.
In France, stricter thresholds for mineral oil content in printing inks come into effect this January. Printers must now use inks without intentionally added mineral oils and secure clear declarations from suppliers to demonstrate compliance. Discussions at the EU level could potentially harmonize mineral oil restrictions across member states in the future.
Beyond these immediate changes, 2025 will see progress on several key regulatory fronts, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, updates to chemical legislation such as REACH and Food Contact Materials, and negotiations on the Green Claims Directive. Although developments under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) are not expected to directly impact printed media in the short term, they remain on the radar.
Source © Intergraf January 2025