Commonly got wrong

Things people get told about these rules that are wrong

Most of what circulates about these rules came from somebody selling something. Here are the claims that come up most, and what the rules themselves say — each one linking to the exact text that settles it.

Everything here was last read from its source on 12 August 2026.

• “The rule about empty space in boxes does not start until 2030, so there is nothing to do yet.”

  Two different rules are being mixed up. One of them started with the rest of the rules and applies today; the other is the one with the 2030 date.

• “None of it really applies yet, because the European Commission has not finished the details.”

  Some of it waits on a decision that has not been made. The rest started on the day the rules did, and does not wait for anything.

• “Registering once somewhere in the EU covers selling to the whole EU.”

  Registration happens separately in each country a business sends packaged goods to, and selling there without it is not allowed.

• “Anyone who puts goods in a box counts as the manufacturer of the packaging.”

  Buying plain unbranded boxes does not make a business the manufacturer. Putting its own name or logo on the packaging does.