EU packing laws and regulations

EU packing laws and regulations

Recently, we have been informed by customers to provide material information for product packaging. Then add an environmentally friendly label accordingly.

In 2019, generated packaging waste was estimated at an average of 178.1 kg per inhabitant1. With the European Green Deal, its climate neutral 2050 target and the Circular Economy Action Plan (2015), the European legislative landscape is growing, and packaging is one of the key focuses:

1.Reducing packaging and packaging waste by imposing increasing recovery and recycling targets

2.Boosting packaging design for re-use and recyclability

3.Reducing the use of multi-materials packaging

4.Increasing recycled content in packaging

Grasping complexity and taking active action on sustainability are key to ensuring successful compliance with packaging laws and avoiding economic sanctions.

To put it simply:
In the context of the current rapid development of packaging legislation, it is becoming more and more challenging for companies to maintain compliance.
To ensure compliance, companies need to have an in-depth understanding of European and national obligations and take active action.
Reducing the environmental footprint is only one of many reasons why companies reconsider their packaging strategies.
The changing legislative pattern.

In 2019, it is estimated that an average of 178.1 kilograms of packaging waste per resident will be generated. With the European Green Agreement, its 2050 Climate neutralization goals and the Circular economy Action Plan (2015), the legislative landscape in Europe is growing, and packaging is one of the priorities:

Reduce packaging and packaging waste by increasing recovery and recycling targets
Improve packaging design for reuse and recyclability
Reduce the use of multi-material packaging
Increase the recyclable ingredients in the package

In this case, some recent and upcoming changes in EU regulations related to packaging have taken place. The transformation of them into the National Legislative Council leads to the adoption, but not limited to, the extension of producer responsibility (EPR) 2 to assume new obligations.

In this case, some recent and upcoming changes in EU regulations related to packaging have taken place. The transformation of them into the National Legislative Council leads to the adoption, but not limited to, the extension of producer responsibility (EPR) 2 to assume new obligations.
In 2018, within the framework of the EU Circular economy package, two directives were revised: the Packaging and Packaging waste instruction (PPWD) and the waste Framework, which were launched in 1994 and 2008, respectively. The proposal to revise the new version of PPWD, which has been revised by the European Commission, is expected to be put forward in the summer of 2022. It solves the basic requirements of packaging design in order to achieve stricter ecological design standards.
The disposable Plastics instruction (SUPD) was adopted in 2019 to deal with marine waste and plastic pollution. It has established new obligations for all kinds of disposable plastic products (that is, food containers, tableware, beverage cups, etc.), such as prohibitive measures to reduce consumption, marketing restrictions, product and marking requirements.
EU member states have two years to translate instructions into national legislation. Therefore, companies that launch packaging on the market should be prepared to comply with recent and upcoming measures.

How are enterprises affected by EU packaging instructions?
For companies that sell packaging products in Europe, packaging regulatory obligations directly affect their business, in particular:
The packaging design requirements listed in the basic requirements of PPWD will be strengthened in terms of limitations related to their manufacture, specific components and reusable or recyclable nature.

"Responsible" Corrugated Knives companies must report on packaging put on the market and fund waste management processes to achieve packaging recovery and recycling goals: in some countries, the cost of packaging varies according to ecological design standards
Label requirements: mandatory or disencouraged symbols on sustainability (e.g. green spots, recyclability, material identification codes, disposal guidelines, etc.)
Many disposable plastic products are banned or strongly reduced their consumption
A number of countries are imposing surduties on plastic packaging (UK, Italy, Spain): in the UK, the tax came into effect in April 2022 and applies to all plastic packages with recycled ingredients of less than 30 per cent.
This non-exhaustive list of obligations clearly demonstrates the direct impact on the company and the importance of packaging compliance in its business operations. Over time, however, achieving and maintaining compliance seems to be very challenging.

The complexity of Packaging Corrugator Plant Compliance of the Company
The complexity of implementing EU packaging rules is related to the diversity of translating instructions into national laws and the rapidly changing legal environment currently observed in the region. This is a challenge, especially for companies operating in multiple EU countries, where there is a high risk of unintentional violations and severe sanctions. Similar plans are being developed around the world: the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia and South Africa.
In fact, European instructions on packaging have been converted at the national level, with more than 27 relevant legal texts in addition to British and Norwegian legislation. Different transposition makes it difficult to implement laws in the following areas. In addition, only a small number of legal texts are available in English. Most of them were written in local languages and have not since been translated.

How can challenges be overcome and compliance ensured?
To ensure compliance with your company, you first need to understand limitations, obligations, and related risks and focus this information at the group level. This requires learning and reviewing all relevant laws and obligations in each country where your packaging products are on the market. All packaging components, types, materials, and properties must be taken into account to perform this filter.
Second, it is important to understand how recovery obligations can be fulfilled independently through compliance with PRO or through reverse logistics systems. Regular monitoring of legislative updates Corrugated Line should be achieved to determine how it may affect your business and operations and to ensure that you remain compliant over time.
Finally, reconsidering your packaging strategy is also a necessary step in fulfilling your obligations, as more and more ecological design standards are being incorporated into national legislation and may also help your business avoid additional taxes or reduce costs because of the lower EPR fees charged for new packaging designs. This will enable you to meet new customer expectations. In general, working with suppliers across the value chain is becoming a best practice for reducing the carbon footprint. A sustainable product portfolio is a key solution, as packaging accounts for an average of 12 per cent of corporate carbon emissions (range 3) active in the FMCG industry.