REGULATORY READINESS

Build a packaging program that turns risk into advantage

Global brands must act now to optimize packaging design and ensure supply chain transparency to meet rapidly evolving sustainability regulations. From humane labor practices to responsible material sourcing and energy-efficient operations, compliance is no longer optional—it’s essential to access and thrive in global markets.

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Action 1 Action 2 Action 3 Action 4

Action 1

Design waste out of your packaging program

Redesigning your product packaging to meet upcoming regulatory requirements in the EU and parts of the US create an opportunity to rethink your packaging optimization, production, and shipping and freight operations to reduce waste and improve profitability.

PPWR requirements:

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), effective in 2025, makes brands responsible for the lifecycle of their product packaging.
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and waste management operators will all be held accountable for re-use and reduction targets.
Packaging will need to contain a minimum percentage of recycled materials depending on the type.
Brands will be responsible for ensuring their packaging is designed to be easily reused or recycled.
Excess packaging will be required to be minimized and lightweight, efficient designs will be rewarded.
Certain single-use plastics within packaging will be restricted to encourage the use of alternatives with a lower environmental impact.

Solutions to reduce packaging waste

Designing compliant packaging requires understanding where the possibility for wasteful or ineffective packaging exists, identifying weak spots in the supply chain, and creating higher-volume, efficient packaging.

Structural Design

At Trillora, we ensure that your packaging isn’t over- or under-engineered so that it protects your product without being wasteful.

Full Systems Approach

True compliance will require each brand to consider the entire supply chain, from factory to customer, which emphasizes the transparency we provide our brands.

Recyclable Materials

Mandates for renewable and recyclable materials mean that Trillora’s complete fiber-based solutions will both protect and increase sustainability.

Certifications

We maintain Forest Stewardship Council Certification with responsibly sourced products.

Performance Testing

We conduct International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) testing on all our packaging.

Rigorous Design Approach

At Trillora, we sweat the small details to ensure a smooth transition and high-performing packaging.

Improved Container Density

We right-size packaging to the product to lower costs and improve container density.

Action 2

Establish robust data collection and reporting for the packaging supply chain

New and evolving packaging regulations require businesses to not only implement more sustainable processes and packaging, but also to collect data and report on the sustainability of their supply chain. Data collection and reporting will add up to a significant amount of brand effort in the coming years.

CSRD requirements:

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is being phased in starting in 2024 and will apply to large companies in the EU, listed companies on EU-regulated markets, and non-EU companies with significant operations.
Brands selling in the EU under CSRD are required to submit reports on environmental, social, and governance practices and factors.
These same brands must adhere to European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and report on how sustainability issues impact their business.

CS3D requirements:

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), effective in 2026 through member state legislation, will apply to large companies in the EU, mid-size EU companies in high-impact sectors, and non-EU companies operating in the EU.
Global brands will be required to conduct and report on due diligence activities on their entire supply chain, assessing both existing and potential human rights and environmental risks.
Brands will need to implement preventive and corrective action to mitigate risks and remediate know issues.
Those lacking transparency and control over their packaging supply chain will be subject to significant financial and legal risk and consequences in the EU.

Global brands must prepare for in-depth data collection and reporting. Do you have the right data collection and compliance partner?

As more data and reporting are required for compliance, brands will either need to hire staff to manage those efforts internally or rely on partners to do this for them.

Unfortunately, many OEM factories in Asia that outsource packaging are not equipped to provide the necessary due diligence data. Brands are finding they need a partner who can collect, analyze, and report on this data for their entire supply chain to maintain compliance.

Trillora's due diligence and reporting capabilities

Trillora uses the Sphera Life Cycle Assessment tool to support brands’ sustainability goals, such as reduced carbon emissions and water use. Additionally, data from supplier audits is reported to our customers for use in sustainability reporting.

ACTION 3

Advance transparency in packaging materials and regulatory compliance

The source of your packaging materials is an important piece of global regulatory compliance. Brands find it time-consuming to track requisite metrics and conduct supplier due diligence audits. Many are acting in advance to engage Trillora to manage supply chains to ensure compliance. Specifically, the EU’s new requirements for sourcing geolocation are bringing non-compliance risk to bear.

EUDR requirements:

The European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), effective in 2025, applies to all brands selling in the EU (whether directly or through their importers).
Brands are required to geolocate the source of the wood, leather, rubber and other commodities used in their products.
Structuring a packaging supply chain to avoid this geolocation and traceability requirement is critical to avoid a significant increase in packaging costs and liability risks.

Due diligence and transparency in packaging materials are difficult and time-consuming to achieve on one's own

Trillora sourcing and ESG teams utilize processes and standards to ensure transparency and traceability of packaging materials.

Trillora’s due diligence and transparency provides its brands with:

FSC-certified materials and packaging suppliers,
Documentation from providers accountable to regulatory compliance,
Control and transparency about your packaging materials, and
Reliable sustainability data and metrics accessible at your fingertips.

ACTION 4

Ensure packaging is compliant with environmental protection and human rights regulations

Along with sustainability measures, global brands must ensure that their products and packaging supply chains are free from forced labor violations. This means that every link in your supply chain must be compliant with data collection, reporting, and due diligence obligations

CSRD requirements:

Companies must report on ESG factors, including labor practices and community impact.

CS3D requirements:

Companies must assess human rights and environmental risks throughout their supply chains and business relationships.

FLR requirements:

The EU Forced Labor Regulation (FLR) requires all companies selling into the EU, to ensure their entire supply chain is devoid of any forced labor.

Compliant ESG practices

Trillora ensures that all of our products are not only designed to be sustainable and cost-effective, but also that we source products only from suppliers who comply and prioritize compliance with human rights and environmental protection. Our ESG Supplier Compliance Program is mandatory for all suppliers, and adherence to the Code of Conduct is our minimum standard.

We conduct ESG standards audits that ensure our suppliers:

Meet energy and water consumption standards
Adhere to environmental targets
Work towards phasing out coal by 2025
Track all hazardous waste streams
Maintain a backup plan for wastewater emergencies

Trillora also tracks and maintains supplier certifications and ensures our clients access to on-demand reporting and audit data.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Take the first steps toward compliant packaging

The changes required to maintain compliance with packaging regulations are by no means simple and may require finding new suppliers, redesigning your packaging, or rethinking logistics. For decades, Trillora has helped top global brands with those overhauls, leading to impressive results, both from a sustainability and a cost-savings basis. Connect with our team to learn more about how we can help your brand with its journey forward.

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