What's new in the 2024 packaging standards?

As global awareness of environmental issues rises, the packaging industry is experiencing a wave of new regulations aimed at reducing waste, improving recyclability, and ensuring transparency. In 2024, governments and international organizations are enforcing stricter rules to promote sustainability and hold producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their packaging. From bans on single-use plastics to enhanced labeling requirements, these new laws are reshaping the packaging landscape. But how will these regulations impact businesses, and what steps must companies take to comply with evolving standards?

Here's a summary of the latest updates in packaging regulations:

Sustainability Mandates

Governments worldwide are tightening regulations to reduce plastic waste, pushing companies to adopt biodegradable and recyclable materials. For instance, the European Union's Single-Use Plastics Directive enforces stricter rules on plastic packaging, including tethered caps on beverage containers to prevent littering. This is like requiring all cars to have safety belts attached at all times—simple, but with a massive impact on safety (or in this case, the environment)​

Source: London Packaging Week

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

EPR regulations are expanding globally. These laws make manufacturers financially responsible for the waste generated by their products' packaging. Countries like the UK, Canada, and Japan are adopting stricter versions of EPR laws to encourage companies to design for recyclability. Imagine being responsible for cleaning up after every road trip you take—now, companies must handle the lifecycle of the packaging they put out.

​Source: FMCG CEO

GS1 Digital Link for Transparency

In Europe, regulatory pressure is increasing around product traceability through packaging. The GS1 Digital Link standard is set to replace traditional barcodes by 2027, allowing more detailed product information through QR codes. It’s like upgrading a street sign into a smart sign that gives you directions, history, and weather reports all in one​.

Source: FMCG Business

Anti-Greenwashing Rules

New rules are coming into play to prevent greenwashing, which is when companies make misleading environmental claims. In the EU, stricter labeling requirements are being enforced, requiring brands to prove their sustainability claims with data, much like how food packaging must show accurate nutritional information​.

Source: Label and Narrow Web

These updates are ensuring that packaging doesn't just look good, but also functions responsibly, aligning with sustainability and consumer trust in a world that's more eco-conscious than ever.

How Cway Can Help

Centralized Project Management

• Collaboration: Cway’s project management tools provide a centralized workspace where all stakeholders—designers, marketing managers, legal, and regulatory teams—can collaborate in real-time. This ensures that everyone is aligned on the latest requirements and updates.
• Built-in Workflow: It offers built-in workflows to guide users through each stage of the artwork creation process, from concept to final design. This structured approach ensures that each compliance check, labeling update, and revision is completed on time and documented.
• Task Assignment and Roles: You can assign roles and tasks to specific team members, helping to keep track of who is responsible for compliance, labeling updates, and final approvals, ensuring a smoother and more controlled process.

Artwork Storage and Accessibility

• Centralized Artwork Storage: All artworks are stored in a centralized Media Center, accessible to all authorized users. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple versions of files, reducing the risk of outdated or non-compliant artwork being used.
• Version Control: Cway’s platform keeps track of every revision made to an artwork, maintaining a clear history of changes. This feature is crucial for compliance checks, as it allows teams to compare the latest version with previous ones to ensure all regulatory requirements are met.

Advanced Artwork Viewer

• Detailed Review: The powerful Viewer in Cway allows users to examine every detail of an artwork, facilitating thorough compliance checks. This tool enables side-by-side comparison of current artworks with past versions or older designs, ensuring that updates align with the latest packaging regulations.
• Commenting and Feedback: Teams can leave comments directly on the artwork in the viewer, simplifying communication around compliance issues, labeling requirements, and design changes. This streamlines the process of making necessary revisions to meet regulatory standards.

Efficient File Sharing

• Easy Sharing: Cway's Quick Share app allows users to easily share files, artwork drafts, or finalized designs with internal and external partners. This reduces the time and effort typically associated with transferring files and coordinating between multiple parties.

Support for Extended Producer Responsibility

• Lifecycle Tracking: By centralizing artwork and packaging data, Cway helps businesses monitor their packaging throughout its lifecycle, supporting EPR compliance. Brands can track design revisions, material usage, and recyclability information, which is crucial for meeting EPR mandates.

By streamlining these aspects of packaging artwork creation and management, Cway enables brands to respond quickly to regulatory changes, maintain accurate labeling, and ensure their packaging designs comply with 2024’s evolving standards. This efficiency not only saves time and costs but also boosts the brand's credibility in the market.