How to add products under PPWR?

Last updated: July 9, 2026

Products are the starting point of your PPWR compliance workflow. In Coolset, a product represents what you sell, for example, a box of cookies or an electronic assembly. The packaging associated with that product (boxes, bags, pallets, straps) is added separately as packaging types, either by you or by your suppliers.

Add your products first. Once your products are in the platform, you can link suppliers to them and request packaging data.

Where to add products

You can add PPWR products in two places:

  1. Via the Products page (left navigation): This shows all your products across all modules. You can add products here and then manually assign them a PPWR compliance track.

  2. Via the PPWR compliance section (through bulk import): This filters the view to PPWR-relevant products only. When you add a product here, it is automatically added to the PPWR compliance track.

Recommendation: Unless you are working across multiple modules simultaneously, add products directly from the PPWR compliance section. This keeps your PPWR workflow clean and avoids adding non-packaging products to your compliance scope by accident.

Adding products manually

  1. Go to the Product section in the left navigation.

  2. Click Add.

  3. Select "Packaged product" to create a new product, or choose an existing product from your catalog to assign it to a PPWR compliance track.

  4. Fill in the product fields:

    • Name: The product name as used internally (e.g. "Blueberry Cookies 200g").

    • Description: Optional, but useful for internal reference.

    • SKU: Your unique article number from your ERP or inventory system. Use the same number you use internally so you can cross-reference later.

  5. Click Save.

Adding products in bulk (CSV import)

If you have many products, you can import them using a CSV template.

  1. Go to PPWR compliance and click > Import.

  2. Download the CSV template from the import screen.

  3. Fill in the template with the following columns:

    • External_id: Unique ID from your ERP or CRM (can be the same as the SKU)

    • SKU: Your internal article number (can be the same as your ERP export).

    • Name: Product name.

    • Description: Optional.

    • Type: For PPWR always use purchased

    • Packaging items: You can optionally add SKU codes of all packaging types that are linked to your product, if those packaging types are already in the system or included in the same CSV. You can add multiple codes into once cell and separate them by a comma and a space.

  4. Upload the completed CSV file.

Tip: Your SKU column can use the same part number your ERP system exports. Keeping these consistent makes it easier to cross-reference Coolset data with your internal systems later.

For instructions on bulk importing your products check out:

📄 Import guide for PPWR CSV uploads

Products vs. packaging types: what goes where?

This is the most common point of confusion in PPWR setup.

What it is

Where it goes

Who adds it

The item you sell (e.g. "Coffee 500g", "Electronic Assembly")

Product in Coolset

You

The packaging on or around that item (e.g. cardboard box, plastic bag, foam insert)

Packaging type linked to your product

Usually your supplier or you, if you manage your suppliers workspace yourself

You do not need to add every layer of packaging as a product. Add your main sellable product. Your supplier will then add the associated packaging types (sales packaging, transport packaging, etc.) to their workspace and link them to your product.

If you have full knowledge of all packaging layers yourself, you can add them directly, but in most cases, the supplier has this information and should add it.

What to do after adding products

Once your products are in Coolset, the next step is to add your suppliers and link them to your products. Your suppliers will then receive a request to provide packaging data for each product.

FAQ

  1. Which product type should I use? For most companies, use Purchased. This applies whether you are a brand, a trading company, or a retailer. Only use Manufactured if your company physically produces a new product from raw materials that results in a different article.

  2. Do I need to add all packaging layers as products? No. Only add your main sellable product (e.g. "Coffee 500g"). The packaging layers are added as packaging types by your supplier, not as separate products.

  3. Can I use my own SKU/part numbers? Yes, and you should. Use the same part numbers from your ERP system. This makes it easier to cross-reference Coolset data with your internal records.

  4. I added a product but it doesn't appear in the PPWR compliance section. A product only appears in the PPWR compliance section if it has been assigned a PPWR compliance track. If you added the product via the general Products page, edit the product to make it "in-scope" for PPWR.