How the 2026 Regulations Translate Into Daily Operations

Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 are already law. By mid-2026, both will be fully enforced, reshaping how producers and recyclers manage testing, data, and documentation. This guide outlines the key requirements and how to prepare your systems in advance.

Current Reality

• Each laboratory works differently, producing inconsistent data
• Reports stored in emails or PDFs with no central record
• Audits require manual data gathering and cross-checking

The New Standard for Testing and Traceability

• KÖR LABS connects all laboratories and sites within one secure digital framework
• Harmonized NIAS and purity methods with standardized parameters and reporting
• Benchmarks laboratory performance on cost, accuracy, and turnaround time
• One-click, regulator-ready report for verified and defensible data

The table below shows how the two key EU regulations translate into operational requirements for producers and recyclers, and how KÖR could support each stage.

Together, these articles define what “audit-ready” means in 2026: every test, process, and data point must be verifiable and traceable. Standardizing these elements now reduces audit pressure and ensures continuity in key customer supply chains.

Implications for Your Organization
‍By mid-2026, every producer and recycler must be able to demonstrate:

• Traceability from recycled input to final packaging
• Validated, comparable test data across laboratories
• A complete digital audit trail regulators can verify instantly

Your Next Step:

Benchmark your laboratory setup against the 2026 enforcement criteria and identify gaps early.

Companies that act now will enter 2026 with confidence, avoiding re-testing delays and maintaining uninterrupted qualification with key customers.&

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