US Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs on EU and UK Goods
The US applied Section 301 Forced Labor tariffs of 10-12.5% to EU and UK-made textiles, electronics components and consumer goods from July 24, 2026. These are inbound tariffs and don’t affect outbound US-to-EU ecommerce sales.
Ashwagandha Regulation Is Escalating: What Supplement Brands Must Check Now
India’s FSSAI restricted leaf-derived ashwagandha in April 2026. The Netherlands confirmed intent to ban it. The European Parliament has scheduled a scientific expert meeting for July 14, 2026. Any supplement brand with ashwagandha in its formulations must verify root-only sourcing and monitor the July 14 meeting outcome.
EU Bans Large Companies from Destroying Unsold Apparel — From 19 July
ESPR Regulation 2024/1781 bans the destruction of unsold apparel and footwear for large companies from 19 July 2026. Large company threshold: 250+ employees or €50M+ turnover. SMEs have a four-year exemption. US fashion brands with EU warehousing need stock disposal policy reviews now.
OEKO-TEX Tightens PFAS Limits and Adds New SVHCs from 1 June 2026
OEKO-TEX updated its STANDARD 100 limit values from 1 June 2026 — PFAS tightened across all product categories, new SVHCs added. Brands holding OEKO-TEX certification must verify current formulations and supply chains against the new limits to maintain certification status.
EU Cyber Resilience Act: Connected Product Brands Have Until September 11
From September 11, 2026, manufacturers of connected products sold in the EU must have active vulnerability reporting systems in place — any actively exploited vulnerability must be reported to ENISA within 24 hours of discovery, with a full notification due within 72 hours. The obligation applies to US-headquartered brands regardless of location, and the infrastructure to meet it cannot be built on the day a vulnerability is discovered.
The EU Mandatory Withdrawal Button Is Now in Force
The EU’s mandatory withdrawal button requirement is live from 19 June 2026. Every online retailer selling to EU consumers must display a clearly labelled cancellation button prominently on their storefront. Non-compliance exposes brands to consumer protection enforcement across any EU member state.
Amazon Prime Day 2026 Closed at a Projected $26.3B – and All EU Markets Were Active
Prime Day 2026 ran 22-25 June across all 22 Amazon markets, with $26.3B projected. Mobile hit 51.2% — the first majority-mobile Prime Day on record. UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain and Italy all active. The window for Q4 EU stock planning opens now.
ICS2 Phase 3 Complete: All EU Transport Modes Now Require Pre-Arrival Customs Declarations
ICS2 Phase 3 completed 1 June 2026, extending the EU pre-arrival customs declaration requirement to road and maritime freight. All shipments entering the EU – air, road and maritime – must now file an Entry Summary Declaration before arrival. Check with your 3PL.
EU PPWR August 2026: What Consumer Electronics Brands Need to Know About Packaging Compliance
EU PPWR introduces binding packaging requirements for electronics brands from August 2026, including void fill limits and surface area ratio rules that standard US retail packaging often fails to meet. EPR reporting requirements also update under the new framework. Brands with electronics in oversized retail boxes need to review packaging specifications and update 3PL dispatch instructions before the deadline.