The European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) shares updates on key legislative and market developments affecting the wider balloon and celebration industry.
EBPC Welcomes Its First Fireworks Member
We are pleased to announce that EBPC has welcomed its first dedicated fireworks member, Pyrogiochi, a leading European specialist in Category F1 fireworks and indoor-use pyrotechnic products for the celebration and party sector.
Pyrogiochi has a strong international presence and longstanding relationships with many companies across the balloon and party industry. As market leaders in F1 products, the company has been actively involved in European standardisation discussions and regulatory developments concerning consumer fireworks and indoor pyrotechnic products.
During recent discussions, it became clear that the F1 category faces many similar challenges to those experienced within the wider celebration sector, including differing national implementation measures across EU Member States, packaging and age classification inconsistencies, environmental considerations, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) developments, storage and registration requirements, and barriers affecting the free movement of CE-certified products within the internal market.
F1 products are low-hazard, low-noise consumer products, with many approved for indoor use, and are increasingly positioned as part of the wider celebration and party environment rather than the traditional fireworks sector. As legislative and sustainability pressures continue to evolve across Europe, there is growing value in knowledge-sharing, responsible-use initiatives, and collaboration on proportionate, evidence-based approaches.
EBPC looks forward to working together with Pyrogiochi and interested members to better understand common regulatory and market challenges, exchange technical and tactical knowledge, and help encourage best practice across the celebration sector.
Members with an interest in fireworks-related topics, market developments, sustainability considerations, or regulatory challenges are warmly invited to contact the EBPC Secretariat to discuss further collaboration opportunities.
Titanium Dioxide
The Commission published a decision in the OJEU regarding the classification of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) at the end of 2025.
It confirms that in the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/217, the ATP (Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress) which included the harmonised classification of TiO2, is annulled in respect of:
- The classification table entry (index number 022-006-00-2)
- Annex I, containing hazard phrases EUH211 and EUH212 related to TiO2, and Annex II containing the translations of those phrases
- Annex III containing the classification notes, and conditions regarding particle size
This confirms with an official publication in the OJ that the harmonised classification is annulled.
As a reminder, this means the TSD prohibition on CMR materials does not apply to TiO2; however, toy manufacturers still need to consider the safety of TiO2 use under the general safety requirements of the TSD.
EU Removes Customs Duty Exemption for Small Parcels
The EU Member States formally adopted new customs duty rules, eliminating the €150 threshold for duty-free parcels. From 1 July 2026, a €3 customs duty will apply per item in small parcels valued under €150.
This temporary measure is expected to remain in place until 2028, when the EU’s customs data hub is expected to become operational. At that point, standard customs tariffs should apply. This measure will be applied on top of a possible handling fee of around €2 that is still being discussed between policy makers.
Further information and details are available:
- EU Council press release – Council gives final green light to new customs duty rules for small parcels
- Adopted legal text (PDF)
The exact legal wording (Article 2) is as follows:
From 1 July 2026 until 1 July 2028, a customs duty of EUR 3 per item in a consignment the intrinsic value of which does not exceed a total of EUR 150 shall apply instead of the relief eliminated pursuant to Article 1 of this Regulation, where:
(a) the importation of the goods is exempt from VAT in accordance with Article 143(1), point (ca), of Directive 2006/112/EC; or
(b) the goods are in a postal consignment as defined in Article 1, point (24), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446.
EU Proposes Simplification of Chemical Product Rules
The European Council has published a revised proposal aimed at simplifying certain requirements under key EU chemicals legislation, as part of its Omnibus Package, including the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. The proposal forms part of wider EU efforts to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining high levels of health, safety, and environmental protection.
For balloon and party product manufacturers, the proposals may be particularly relevant where products involve chemicals, aerosols, adhesives, inks, coatings, or other mixtures requiring hazard communication and labelling.
Among the proposed changes are simplified labelling requirements for small packaging formats, greater flexibility for digital contact information and digital labelling solutions, extended transition periods for relabelling obligations, and efforts to reduce excessive administrative burdens linked to formatting and advertising requirements.
The proposals also recognise growing concerns from industry regarding the increasing complexity and cumulative burden of EU chemicals legislation on competitiveness and innovation within the Single Market.
EBPC will continue monitoring developments closely as discussions progress between the European Commission, Parliament, and Council, particularly where changes may impact packaging, product communication, compliance obligations, or market access for celebration sector products.
Download the Chemicals Simplification document
Draft Delegated Act Proposes Changes to EUDR Product Scope
The European Commission has published a draft Delegated Regulation proposing amendments to Annex I of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), introducing a number of targeted technical clarifications and scope changes intended to improve legal certainty and simplify implementation for businesses and authorities.
The draft proposal includes several notable changes, including the addition of certain downstream products such as soluble coffee and additional palm oil derivatives, while removing specific leather-related products from scope. The Commission also proposes clearer exclusions for waste, used and second-hand goods, samples, products used for testing and analysis, packaging used to carry another product, and certain marketing or informational materials.
Of particular relevance to some sectors, the draft confirms that packaging materials and containers used to support, protect, or carry another product would generally fall outside EUDR scope when used for that purpose.
The Commission states that the changes are intended to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, avoid market confusion, improve customs enforcement clarity, and prevent unintended loopholes or relocation of deforestation risk.
As this remains a draft delegated act, the text has not yet been formally adopted and may still be subject to further discussion and amendment.
European Commission Publishes PPWR Guidance and FAQs
On 30 March 2026, the European Commission published a new Guidance Document and accompanying Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document relating to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
The documents are intended to support the consistent implementation of the PPWR across the EU and provide clarification on a range of practical issues raised by industry and Member States ahead of the Regulation’s main application date of 12 August 2026.
The guidance and FAQs include clarification on areas such as packaging definitions, recyclability requirements, recycled content obligations, packaging minimisation, labelling, reuse requirements, and the relationship between PPWR and other EU legislation.
Given the broad scope of the PPWR, these publications may be relevant to balloon and party product manufacturers, distributors, importers, and packaging suppliers placing packaged goods on the EU market.
Members are encouraged to review the documents and consider how the clarifications may affect their packaging compliance strategies and future product development.
EU Product Act – Legislative Revisions Expected in 2026
The European Commission is continuing preparations for the forthcoming “EU Product Act” package, expected in 2026, which will include revisions to the New Legislative Framework (NLF), the Market Surveillance Regulation, and the Standardisation Regulation. The initiative forms part of the Commission’s broader strategy to modernise EU product legislation, strengthen enforcement, improve competitiveness, and support the digital and circular transition of the Single Market.
The upcoming proposals are expected to focus on improving market surveillance and enforcement against non-compliant products, particularly imports and online sales from outside the EU, while also streamlining obligations for compliant businesses. Discussions are also exploring greater use of digital tools such as Digital Product Passports, improved coordination between authorities, and faster, more responsive European standardisation processes.
For manufacturers and importers in the balloon and party sector, the revisions may have future implications for product compliance documentation, conformity assessment, traceability, digital information systems, online marketplace obligations, and CE-marking related frameworks. The legislative proposals are currently expected during Q3 2026.
EBPC provided responses on behalf of the industry on the NLF and Market Surveillance consultations, and advised members to respond in late 2025.
More information on the EU Product Act
Batteries Regulation (EUBR) – Article 11 Removability Derogation Update
Further developments continue under the EU Batteries Regulation (EUBR), particularly concerning the proposed delegated act linked to Article 11 on the removability and replaceability of batteries in products. A draft delegated act has recently been released for public consultation, with the latest version appearing to introduce a time limitation until 2030 and removing earlier references linked to small parts restrictions.
The draft has raised concerns amongst industry stakeholders regarding the relationship between the Batteries Regulation and the Toy Safety Regulation (TSR), particularly whether TSR requirements may effectively take precedence in certain applications and how overlapping regulatory obligations will be interpreted across EU product legislation.
Stakeholders are also closely monitoring how Article 57 of the Batteries Regulation may influence the interaction between different EU legal frameworks. At the time of writing, the updated official guidance document linked to these requirements has not yet been published. Given the potential implications for products containing button cells or integrated batteries, manufacturers should continue monitoring developments closely, particularly where product safety, accessibility, removability, and child safety considerations may overlap.
Source: European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) – Suteesh Chumber, EBPC Secretariat
