Regulations
Our Regulations Finder helps brands identify, understand and prepare for the regulations that impact their products and places – globally.
1. What’s your area of focus?
Choose one area.
2. What region(s) do you operate in?
Choose multiple regions if required.
3. Connected product compliance regulations you need to act on:
China Digital Product Passport (CAICT)
- Applicable to: China
What does it mean?
A ‘reciprocal’ set of Regulations to mirror EU ESPR and DPP programmes – enables frictionless movement of goods between both regions
When does it matter?
Feb 2027 – industrial, automative and commercial batteries. 2027-2030 roll out for other categories.
Country/retailer initiatives to replace barcodes with QR (UK grocers, AU, LATAM)
- Applicable to: UK
What does it mean?
Retailers are putting consumer-facing QR on daily-use SKUs (milk, water, refillables) to deliver recycling, origin, promos. Brands will be “voluntold” to supply a standards-based QR.
When does it matter?
Accelerating 2025–2027, aligned to Sunrise 2027, then business-as-usual.
EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) + Digital Product Passport (DPP)
- Applicable to: EU/EEA
What does it mean?
Creates a mandatory digital identity for products (the DPP) — almost certainly exposed via a data carrier (QR/DM/NFC). First waves are non-CPG (batteries, textiles, electronics) but CPG/packaging players will need to plug in to keep portfolios consistent.
When does it matter?
2026 first big wave (iron/steel, then textiles) → 2027–2029 further categories → full maturity by 2030. For CPG, plan as if pilots / supply-chain asks start 2026–2028.
EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
- Applicable to: EU/EEA + Northern Ireland
What does it mean?
Harmonised recycling/sorting info on pack; QR code mandatory for reusable packaging; tighter rules on environmental claims. This creates a regulatory reason to put a smart code on pack, not just a marketing reason.
When does it matter?
Regulation in force 11 Feb 2025, general application 12 Aug 2026, then a ladder of dates to 2030–2040depending on packaging format. Short answer: 2026–2028 is when it hits most FMCG.
GS1 “Sunrise 2027” (2D at POS/POC)
- Applicable to: Global
What does it mean?
Retail + healthcare systems must be able to read a 2D code (QR/Data Matrix) at checkout / point of care. This unlocks 1 code on pack that can carry GTIN plus web/digital experiences (via GS1 Digital Link). Brands will be under pressure to replace the EAN/UPC or run dual-marking.
When does it matter?
By end 2027 scanners must read 2D. Transition continues 2028–2030 as retailers deprecate 1D.
GS1 Digital Link standard
- Applicable to: Global
What does it mean?
Defines how a QR/2D code can hold GTIN and route to the right digital experience (consumer, regulator, retailer, accessibility). If you want compliance + experience from the same code, you’ll end up here.
When does it matter?
Already live; becomes unavoidable 2026–2029 as Sunrise 2027 traffic goes up.
Insecticide Act 2025
- Applicable to: India
What does it mean?
Requires all Pesticide products to use QR codes to provide traceability and authenticity
When does it matter?
Regulations passed in 2025. Large scale pilots in 2026. national compliance from 2027
Pharma / Medicine Law 14
- Applicable to: Brazil
What does it mean?
Requires QR codes on all Product Information Labels inside Pharma products.
When does it matter?
2026 being extended to include QR codes on packs across OTC pharma products
Sectoral EU “digital labelling” moves
- Applicable to: EU
What does it mean?
Lets or requires brands to move some mandatory info off pack to digital— this is where connected packs become a compliance tool.
When does it matter?
Rolling 2025–2029; watch delegated acts under PPWR/ESPR. (Inference from PPWR/ESPR programme.)
SmartFacts
- Applicable to: Australia and New Zealand
What does it mean?
Voluntary programme using QR codes on packs to provide full ingredients transparency on all grocery products to provide consumer assurance
When does it matter?
Being rolled out in Woolworth’s (Australia’s biggest retailer) late 2025. National coverge from 2026
Turkey e-KT
- Applicable to: Turkey
What does it mean?
Mandated QR code on pack for OTC Healthcare products
When does it matter?
Effective from Jan 2026
2. What region(s) do you operate in?
Choose multiple regions if required.
3. Accessibility compliance regulations you need to act on:
US HHS / healthcare accessibility moves
- Applicable to: US
What does it mean?
Pulls patient-facing packaging, instructions and QR-to-content into accessibility scope.
When does it matter?
May 2026
European Accessibility Act → transport / built environment follow-ons
- Applicable to: EU
What does it mean?
Good hook for accessible wayfinding in offices, factories, campuses, retail using on-site codes + spatial data – exactly your Mi-View360™ line.
When does it matter?
Starts Jun 2025, some elements can be deferred to 2027–2030.
US ADA – new web & mobile rule for state/local gov (Title II)
- Applicable to: US
What does it mean?
This is the US signal that QR-to-web experiences must be WCAG-compliant. DOJ has not yet dropped the long-awaited Title III rule for private businesses, but enforcement is active. Expect big US brands to harden AQR flows 2026–2028.
When does it matter?
Rule published 2024 → compliance Apr 2026 for most public entities; private-sector spill-over 2026–2029 (inferred).
Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
- Applicable to: Canada
What does it mean?
Not packaging-specific, but it is steadily raising the floor for accessible information and communication technologies; a connected pack from an FMCG giant will be expected to comply.
When does it matter?
Ongoing; next 5 yrs (to 2030) = progressive tightening, reports every 3 years.
AODA (Ontario) 2025 digital deadline
- Applicable to: Canada
What does it mean?
By 1 Jan 2025 most orgs had to be accessible; this pulls QR-linked experiences, instructions, and product info into scope. Good proxy for Canadian retailers/manufacturers.
When does it matter?
2025, then reporting cycles 2025–2028.
UK Equality Act 2010 + Public Sector Web & App Accessibility Regs 2018
- Applicable to: UK
What does it mean?
“Reasonable adjustment” + WCAG-level expectations for anything public-facing. Not packaging-specific, but if you put a QR/AQR on a UK pack that lands on an inaccessible service, you’re exposed.
When does it matter?
In force now; enforcement is getting tougher 2025–2027 as GOV.UK pushes WCAG 2.2 AA.
European Accessibility Act (EAA) — Directive (EU) 2019/882
- Applicable to: EU/EEA + Northern Ireland
What does it mean?
Requires products and the services that surface their info to be accessible — this is the big lever for Accessible QR (AQR), accessible product information, and indoor/outdoor digital wayfinding. Pack that pushes people to a non-accessible experience will be a risk.
When does it matter?
Core obligation 28 Jun 2025; member-state grace periods to 28 Jun 2030 for existing services. So 2025–2030 is the real window.