As brands continue to establish lofty sustainability goals, label suppliers have been tasked with ensuring their latest product innovations adhere to the newest regulations. By supporting customers with compliant label materials, manufacturers can help contribute to a circular economy.

For example, Avery Dennison has prioritized the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in all aspects of its business and across its numerous sites. Going forward, most suppliers will be engineering products with regulations and compliance in mind.

“Regulation and compliance play a pivotal role in shaping Avery Dennison’s R&D efforts,” states Paul South, Ph.D., product stewardship manager, Avery Dennison. “With the constantly evolving landscape of global regulations, the company prioritizes designing products that are fully compliant with both existing and anticipated rules. This proactive approach not only ensures legal compliance but also fosters innovation. For instance, the demand for sustainable and non-toxic materials, driven by regulations like EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and state regulations, has led Avery Dennison to develop innovative alternatives. By embedding compliance into the R&D process early, Avery Dennison delivers solutions that meet stringent requirements while empowering customers to remain competitive and regulatory-compliant.”

Avery Dennison boasts several offerings to help support its customers. The Avery Dennison Compliance Service is designed to simplify the increasingly complex regulatory landscape for label converters and their clients. The company has launched a Personalized Compliance Statement Generator, which simplifies compliance by producing tailored regulatory documents instantly. By providing a one-stop shop for compliance information, Avery Dennison ensures that label converters and end users can confidently select materials that meet legislative needs.

Additionally, Avery Dennison’s expert compliance team supports customers by tracking global and regional regulations like California Proposition 65 and offering quick-turnaround insights, enabling customers to focus on growing their business while meeting evolving regulations.

According to South, the label and package printing industry is increasingly affected by a growing list of stringent global and regional regulations. These include food contact and sustainability. Converters must ensure that label materials and processes used for FDA-regulated food contact substances meet all compliance requirements. As for sustainability, EPR and PCW mandates aim to make products easier to recycle and reduce environmental impact.  

“California’s Prop 65 is critical, too,” says South. “California law requires a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Businesses must provide a ‘clear and reasonable’ warning before knowingly exposing anyone in California to these chemicals at harmful levels.

“We’re also focused on phenol restrictions on thermal paper,” adds South. “Stricter regulations in California and Washington are driving the need for businesses to switch to phenol-free thermal paper to comply with bans and warning requirements starting in 2024 and 2026. By adopting a proactive approach to product stewardship and staying ahead of the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, we ensure thorough and reliable product reviews tailored to meet compliance needs.”

Avery Dennison has responded to recent regulatory requirements by expanding its portfolio of compliant materials, as well. The company recently introduced its new no-phenol-added direct thermal papers, designed to provide a safer and more compliant labeling solution without compromising on performance. Avery Dennison’s diverse range of direct thermal papers is tailored for a variety of applications, ensuring high-quality results.

“We continue to expand our Sustainable Advantage portfolio, which includes materials designed to enable recycling, such as AD CleanFlake Technology,” remarks South. “We also offer recycled content options, including facestocks and liners with 30% post-consumer waste. We continue to expand our Direct Thermal Linerless range, reducing waste and improving efficiency. Additionally, many of our paper products are made with FSC-certified materials, ensuring responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship.”