Wearables, i.e. wearable electronic devices such as smartwatches, smart rings, or fitness trackers – are currently among the most dynamic product categories on the market. Innovation cycles are short, market entries are rapid, and distribution is typically international. As a result, regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly complex. One aspect that is often underestimated, however, is packaging.
In many projects, we see that packaging is treated as a secondary topic. In reality, it is one of the key levers for compliance – especially in international markets.
Small Products, Complex Requirements
At first glance, wearables may seem straightforward. The products are small – and so is their packaging. But this is exactly where the challenge lies.
Even for a seemingly simple product, multiple packaging types quickly come into play: primary packaging, additional protective packaging, and e-commerce shipping packaging. Each of these is subject to regulatory requirements and must be properly considered.
At the same time, requirements are not harmonized. Despite an EU-wide framework, national regulations can differ significantly – for example, in labeling obligations. This means that a product may be compliant in one market, but not necessarily in another.
Typical Challenges in Practice
What we frequently observe is that companies scale internationally, but their packaging processes do not keep pace. The result: incorrect reporting of packaging volumes or missing registrations.
This becomes even more critical in e-commerce. Many companies account for product packaging but overlook shipping packaging – even though it is also subject to extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements.
In addition, relevant data is often scattered across the organization. Procurement, logistics, and external fulfillment providers work with different data sets. Without a clear structure, it becomes difficult to ensure accurate and complete reporting.
Another important aspect: packaging is often considered in isolation. However, for wearables, battery and electrical compliance requirements also play a central role.
Why the Topic Is Gaining Importance
Requirements are increasing – both in terms of regulation and enforcement.
Marketplaces are increasingly checking whether companies meet their obligations. At the same time, new regulations such as the PPWR introduce additional requirements, particularly regarding recyclability and transparency.
Packaging is therefore no longer just an operational detail, but a strategic topic.
Our Approach
We support companies in implementing packaging compliance in a structured and scalable way.
The first step is to create transparency:
Which packaging types are actually placed on the market – across all countries and sales channels?
Based on this, we clarify the specific obligations and take care of the necessary registrations.
As wearables are subject to multiple regulatory frameworks, we always consider packaging in conjunction with battery and electrical requirements as well as copyright levies. This ensures a consistent solution rather than isolated approaches.