The State Of Responsibility 2026 | Must Read Stanley Parker, senior sustainability manager at Brand Addition, says 96% of the company’s purchased packaging contained recycled content in 2025. “We focus on packaging reduction, increased recycled content, improved recyclability and reducing reliance on unnecessary single-use materials,” Parker says. Shah emphasizes the low percentage of distributors who measure and actively reduce packaging impacts. “That’s particularly notable because packaging is one of the most visible sustainability touchpoints for clients and one of the areas distributors can influence most directly,” Shah says. Brand Addition actively monitors and prepares for emerging regulations, including ESPR, digital product passports, EUDR, PPWR, battery regulations, modern slavery requirements and sustainability disclosure obligations. “Regulatory readiness is managed by our global quality and compliance team and is integrated into our sourcing, compliance and product data processes,” Parker says. Himelstein adds that the distributors sitting in the “monitoring developments” column, which is nearly a third of the industry, “are going to be forced off the sidelines quickly because their clients’ legal and procurement teams will do it for them.” TABLE 7: How prepared is your company to respond to emerging product safety and sustainability regulations (e.g., PFAS, EPR, forced labor, labeling, carbon disclosure)? Proactively advising clients External expertise engaged Internal processes in place Monitoring regulatory developments Not currently on our radar Distributors $100M+ 27% 20% 33% 13% 7% Distributors $25M-$100M 27% 24% 18% 24% 6% Distributors $10M-$25M 27% 0% 14% 50% 9% Distributors $3M-$10M 12% 24% 28% 16% 20% Distributors Under $3M 6% 0% 10% 35% 48% TABLE 8: Does your company have documented policies addressing fair labor practices, workplace conduct, and employee well-being? Yes, documented and communicated Informal practices only In development No Distributors $100M+ 100% 0% 0% 0% Distributors $25M-$100M 100% 0% 0% 0% Distributors $10M-$25M 100% 0% 0% 0% Distributors $3M-$10M 88% 4% 8% 0% Distributors Under $3M 42% 35% 0% 23% “Packaging is one of the most visible sustainability touchpoints for clients and one of the areas distributors can influence most directly.” — TEJ SHAH, OVERTURE PROMOTIONS • OCTOBER 2026 • 37
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