The EAC Blog

Behind every association, every initiative, and every policy position stand people. The strength of the European promotional products industry lies in its diversity — of markets, cultures, company structures, and perspectives. The EAC Member Spotlight Series aims to give these voices visibility. Across Europe, associations operate in different regulatory environments and economic contexts. Some represent strong manufacturing traditions; others are primarily distributor-driven

Across Europe, the promotional products industry is navigating a period of transformation. Regular dialogue with members helps associations understand where the sector stands — and where it is heading. Recent exchanges within the EAC network reveal several consistent priorities. Sustainability remains at the top of the agenda. Members are focusing on material innovation, supply chain transparency, and compliance with evolving EU regulations. The ability to demonstrate credibl

Sustainability claims are becoming more scrutinised across Europe. Certifications therefore play a crucial role in building credibility and transparency within the promotional products industry. But what do the most common labels actually stand for? GRS (Global Recycled Standard)  verifies recycled content in products and ensures traceability throughout the supply chain. It also includes social and environmental criteria, making it particularly relevant for products made from

Understanding Anti-Dumping and Its Implications Trade defence measures such as anti-dumping duties play an important role in protecting fair competition within the European market. At the same time, they can have complex implications for industries that operate in highly international supply chains – including the promotional products sector. Anti-dumping measures are designed to address situations where imported goods are sold below fair market value, potentially harming dom

The European Associations Cooperation (EAC) has now been officially established as an international association based in Brussels. This marks a significant milestone for the European promotional products industry. What started as a collaborative initiative among national associations has evolved into a formally structured European platform. With its official establishment, EAC gains a stable institutional foundation. This provides clarity, transparency, and a solid framework

New International CO₂ Study Highlights Environmental Efficiency of Promotional Products The promotional products industry has taken an important step toward greater transparency and global recognition. A newly completed international CO₂ analysis compares the carbon footprint of promotional product merchandising with five major advertising channels across both US and European markets. The study was initiated in Europe, but has been very well received by our US partners PPAI a

Sustainability is no longer a trend or a marketing message. It is becoming a practical, everyday responsibility across the promotional products industry. Across the EAC network, we see a clear shift: from talking about sustainability to embedding it into processes, materials, and long-term strategies. Whether it’s rethinking product design, improving transparency in supply chains, or aligning sustainability efforts with regulatory requirements – action is taking shape in many

Collaboration is at the heart of the EAC – and our task forces are where it becomes tangible. Across the EAC network, dedicated working groups bring together experts from different countries and backgrounds to focus on key topics shaping the future of our industry. From sustainability and digitalisation to regulatory developments and strategic cooperation, these task forces provide space for structured exchange and practical collaboration. Their role is not to speak for indiv

Understanding where our industry is heading requires more than intuition – it requires perspective. As markets continue to evolve, promotional products are influenced by broader economic trends, changing customer expectations, digitalisation, and increasing sustainability requirements. While conditions differ across countries, many challenges and opportunities are shared throughout Europe. Looking ahead to 2025 and 2026, themes such as cross-border cooperation, innovation, re

European regulation is evolving rapidly – and for our industry, staying informed is no longer optional. In the coming years, a range of EU initiatives will increasingly shape how promotional products are designed, sourced, marketed, and communicated. Topics such as sustainability claims, product design requirements, transparency obligations, and reporting standards are gaining momentum across Brussels. What does this mean for the promotional products industry?It means moving

Haptic promotional products are becoming digital interfaces: NFC, sensors, and AR are on the rise. By 2030, 75 percent of all new consumer goods will contain sensors. © freepik / pch.vector Digital campaigns are fast, targeted, and measurable. At the same time, numerous studies show that their impact is often short-lived—because consumers are exposed to hundreds of messages every day, the half-life of attention has dropped significantly [1]. For brands, this means that a pure

📅  June 8–10, 2026 📍 Dolce by Wyndham Hotel & Resort | La Hulpe, near Brussels The International Leadership Summit (ILS) returns in 2026 — bringing together senior leaders and young leadership personalities from across the European and global promotional merchandise industry. At a time when international cooperation, regulation, and market dynamics are becoming increasingly complex, the ILS offers a trusted space for strategic dialogue, exchange of perspectives, and cross-b

511 brands. One community. One historic moment. What happened at PSI 2026 in Düsseldorf was far more than a world record. It was a visible, tangible statement made by an entire industry.For three days, the trade show became the stage for a unique collective initiative. Exhibitors, visitors, suppliers, brand owners, agencies, and partners from around the world responded to a shared call to action: bring products with visible brand names and become part of an official Guinness

At PSI 2026 in Düsseldorf, something is happening that has never been seen before in our industry. Something that goes far beyond a trade show. A moment that shows what becomes possible when people from all over Europe and the world come together to create something greater than themselves. We are attempting a world record for “The most varieties of brands in a promotional merchandise display” – 250 brands. But this record is more than a number. It is a symbol. It stands for

THE INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE IS BACK FOR THE SECOND TIME — STRONGER, BIGGER, AND MORE CONNECTED. At PSI 2026, the  International Lounge  returns to  Hall 11 | A03  - once again officially hosted by the  EAC – European Association Cooperation . Following its successful debut, the Lounge has become the central meeting point for global leaders, partners, associations, and international guests of the promotional products industry. A Dedicated Hub for the Global Community The  Intern

As we look back at 2025, one thing is clear: collaboration across Europe has never been more important — or more impactful.   💡 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗔𝗖:   • Expanded its network and strengthened cross-border cooperation   • Published key guidance and policy positions for the industry   • Hosted several European exchange formats and expert discussions   • Supported members on sustainability, regulation and market insights   • Increased engagement across associations,

The European Commission has initiated a partial interim review that could significantly impact the ceramic tableware and kitchenware sector in Europe.  𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 In December, the EU started an examination to determine whether the current anti-dumping duties on ceramic products imported from China — in many cases around 17.9% — should be raised to a uniform level of 79%. This review follows a request submitted by Cerame-Unie – the European Federation of

Promotional products are more than giveaways – they are a vital part of Europe’s creative, sustainable, and responsible economy. Did you know? • Our industry supports thousands of SMEs across Europe, strengthening local jobs and skills. • It drives innovation in materials, printing technologies, and design. • It enables brands to communicate responsibly, transparently, and with long-term impact. From circular materials and certified production to digital supply chains and fut

Product Media Association (PMA) is the new name of the Swedish trade association for product media. This was announced at a member...

The upcoming EAC Summit promises an outstanding platform for learning, networking, and innovation. Industry experts will address key...

We are excited to share a major success for our industry! One of our key objectives has been to achieve formal recognition within the...

PPAI has gathered 2023 sales data to assess the state of the industry in France. The full study is available via Premium Research. For...

The International Summit, co-hosted by EAC and PPAI, is set to bring together global thought leaders from May 19 to 21, 2025, in the...

A Promising Start to 2025 PSI 2025 was a resounding success for the European Associations Cooperation (EAC). From January 7th to 9th, we...