BOBST to Future-Proof Label Industry Ahead of 2026 Rules

The labels industry is entering one of the most complex regulatory periods in its history. Authorities are tightening rules governing packaging sustainability, chemical safety, food contact materials, and product information. For converters and brand owners, compliance has become a central element influencing materials selection, print technologies, and production workflows.

While these regulations aim to improve consumer safety, environmental performance, and supply-chain transparency, they also introduce significant operational challenges for the industry. In this context, industry leaders like BOBST can play an increasingly important role in helping converters adapt quickly and confidently to the evolving regulatory landscape.

Rapidly Evolving Regulatory Landscape

The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU 2025/40) represents one of the most significant changes to packaging legislation in decades. Unlike the previous directive, the regulation applies directly in all EU member states from August 2026.

The PPWR requires all EU packaging to reach 70% recyclability by 2030, with stricter targets by 2038. These targets directly affect labels, which must not interfere with the recyclability of the packaging they are applied on.

From 2028–2029, EU‑wide standardised symbols will be introduced to help consumers correctly sort packaging, including pictograms showing material type and disposal instructions. More products will also carry digital markers such as QR codes that provide additional information about recyclability, material composition, and return systems.

In parallel, authorities are strengthening controls on substances used in printing inks, particularly for food-contact packaging.

Swiss Ordinance 817.023.21 – widely regarded as the world’s most comprehensive ink regulation and often used globally as a de facto standard – introduces a positive list of permitted substances and requires detailed documentation of potential migrating substances.

Updates to the German Printing Ink Ordinance (GIO) are expected on 1 January 2027 and will introduce additional substance lists and migration limits for packaging intended to be in indirect contact with food.

Compass for Converters to Navigate Regulations

For converters, the rapid pace and complexity of regulatory change present major challenges. In this disruptive environment, BOBST has developed an integrated ecosystem of machines, inks, and solutions designed to support converters through this period and in the future.

BOBST’s Thalia inks are a new generation of UV digital inks designed to meet the highest standards of compliance. For label converters, Thalia offers peace of mind that they are using inks compliant with the current and upcoming regulations without compromising on print quality or productivity. Thalia inks work on all BOBST digital presses for label production without hardware upgrades, maintaining an impressive 100 m/min speed.

BOBST helps customers understand and align with compliance requirements through clear documentation and hands-on support. All potential migratable substances are identified and assessed according to toxicological thresholds and food contact norms, giving customers full confidence in compliance. BOBST can support customers with compliance and migration assessments and issue authorised migration certificates based on certified laboratory testing and modelling. The release of Thalia is supported at BOBST by a dedicated Food Contact Material (FCM) governance framework – designed to deliver predictable compliance, high performance digital printing, and long-term regulatory resilience.

Regulatory compliance also requires absolute accuracy in printed information. BOBST addresses this through technologies such as ACCUCHECK, which performs 100% inline inspection to verify the integrity of label content.

Meanwhile, digital platforms such as the DIGITAL MASTER series integrate printing, inspection, embellishment, and converting within a single process, increasing traceability and reducing risks of human error.

Multilayer Labels: Digital and Flexo Solutions

As regulations such as the new EU regulation 2024/2865 on fold-out labels demand more information, multilayer or extended‑content labels are becoming essential, especially for sectors such as chemicals, food, and pharmaceuticals.

From short to long runs, BOBST’s flexo platforms, including the VISION M1 and MASTER M5, enable highly efficient one-pass production of multilayer labels with minimal waste. These are highly automated platforms renowned for their flexibility, allowing quick, easy, and effective configuration and web path changes according to the job requirements, which is a crucial factor when printing diverse applications and multilayers.

For more flexibility and even shorter runs, BOBST addresses this need with FLEXJET, a fully digital printing module that enables single-pass production of multilayer labels, as well as digital glue-side or liner-side printing. When integrated into a DIGITAL MASTER series label press, it enables a one-pass and fully digital printing process of complex extended-content labels making short runs even more profitable.

Future to See More Regulations and Greater Role for AI

Most industry observers expect regulatory pressure to intensify. The EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and ongoing REACH updates are likely to introduce further restrictions on substances used in packaging and inks.

Sustainability initiatives will continue to tighten recyclability requirements and regulate environmental claims. Countries such as the United States, China, and South Korea, are strengthening their own chemical safety and hazard communication frameworks, meaning converters operating globally must prepare for an increasingly demanding regulatory environment.

BOBST’s solutions ensure converters can future proof their businesses, and the company will continue to innovate to help customers stay ahead of the curve.

Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are emerging as valuable tools for the future of regulatory compliance in many ways. These innovations facilitate automated label artwork validation against regulatory requirements for symbols, warnings, and mandatory information could help reduce manual errors and allow companies to update labels quickly as regulations change. Furthermore, these technologies provide enhanced traceability through the implementation of serialisation and smart digital markers, track-and-trace systems, and digital labelling elements such as QR codes.

AI will help make compliance faster, more accurate, and more scalable. The rise of label regulations reflects a broader transformation toward safer, more transparent, and sustainable packaging. Converters who adapt quickly can turn regulatory complexity into a source of differentiation. With advanced machines, compliant inks, inspection technologies, and integrated workflows, BOBST provides converters the tools to stay ahead – not just comply.

BOBST continues to innovate so that converters can face regulatory change confidently and turn it into an opportunity for growth.