If I'm exporting to the EU, what sustainability and packaging rules do I need beyond India's EPR?
The short answer
India's CPCB EPR registration doesn't cover you once your product ships into the EU, the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (applying from August 2026) sets its own recyclability and PFAS rules, the EU Deforestation Regulation requires proof your paper/wood packaging isn't linked to deforestation (SMEs come into scope from mid-2026), and the EU Green Claims Directive will require third-party-backed evidence for every environmental claim on your listing. FSC certification is the fastest way to satisfy several of these at once since it's recognised across markets, weigh the modest cost premium against the alternative of a claim you can't defend in an EU audit.
A quick summary to orient you. The real value is below: the resources worth your time, from people who've actually done it, not us.
Here are the resources
Hand-picked from around the web, each with a note on why it earns your time. India-specific ones carry a badge.
3 resources1 India-specific3 link-checked
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📄 Article
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Why we picked it
Explains why FSC certification is becoming the de facto global entry ticket for exporters, one certification that satisfies multiple regional rules at once, which matters if you're selling beyond India.
Why we picked it
A single reference comparing FSC, SFI, PEFC, and Cradle to Cradle certifications side by side, useful for an exporter deciding which certification actually matters for their specific target market.
Why we picked it
A wider shortlist beyond the two or three D2C-specific suppliers, including larger players like Pakka, UFlex, and Bambrew, useful once you're scaling past small-MOQ suppliers and need a manufacturing-scale partner.
