We're Shutting Down CHALK REBELS

CHALK REBELS is shutting down. Not because the chalk stopped working, but because of regulation. Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40), selling packaged goods comes with a compliance bill we cannot ignore.

We were already pondering in 2026 whether it was worth relaunching the brand. In 2026 we had already moved all sales to wholesale distribution. This latest regulation episode was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

The simulation puts EU27+UK packaging-EPR compliance under PPWR at €8,000-11,000 a year at current sales volumes, of which about 3% is actual eco-fees, 25-35% registration/authorised-rep charges, and 60-70% administrative overhead. Redesigning the packs we already have is a separate cost on top. Until we know that burden is worth carrying, we will not keep the brand running.

In January 2027 we will take an optional go / no-go on relaunch. Until then the brand is default-dead. That decision will look at PPWR registration and compliance country by country, and at whether it is worth redesigning our packaging.

Until 31 December 2026 the remaining stock is on sale at never-before-seen prices, for climbers, gyms, and shops. When it’s gone, it’s gone.