EU Regulatory Regime
EU compliance regimes for importers
Below are the EU regulatory regimes most likely to bite SME importers. Each entry has its own deep page with importer obligations, key dates, HS coverage, and a worked example.
| Regime | Priority | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CBAM — Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism | High | Active — definitive period from 1 January 2026 |
| CE marking — LVD, EMC, RED for electrical equipment | High | Active |
| CE marking — Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 | High | Active. Replaces Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC from 14 January 2027 |
| Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 | High | Active since 2013 |
| EUDR — Deforestation Regulation | High | Active — large operators since 30 December 2025; SMEs from 30 June 2026 |
| REACH — Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, Restriction of Chemicals | High | Active since 2007 |
| Toy Safety — Directive 2009/48/EC + EN 71 series | High | Active. New Toy Safety Regulation expected 2026 with stricter chemical limits |
| EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 | Medium | Active — phased provisions 2024-2027 |
| GPSR — General Product Safety Regulation 2023/988 | Medium | Active since 13 December 2024 (replaced GPSD 2001/95/EC) |
| RoHS — Restriction of Hazardous Substances in EEE | Medium | Active since 2011 (recast 2011/65/EU) |
| WEEE — Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment | Medium | Active since 2003 (recast 2012/19/EU) |
| Footwear Labelling — Directive 94/11/EC | Standard | Active since 1996 |
| Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 | Standard | In force from 11 February 2026; obligations phase in to 2030 |