New EU packaging regulation

25/01/2024

The current packaging regulation has not been able to reduce the negative environmental impact of packaging. The volume of waste, particularly single-use packaging, has increased by more than 20% over the past ten years. The European Parliament has therefore voted on new rules for packaging in the EU. At the end of November, the Parliament clearly adopted the proposal.

The EU Packaging Directive (EU Directive 94/62/EC) aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Comprehensive packaging reduction targets have been set to put the industry on the path to climate neutrality by 2050: -5% by 2030, -10% by 2035 and -15% by 2040. For plastic packaging in particular, the reduction targets are to be even more ambitious: -10% by 2030, -15% by 2035 and -20% by 2040.

In addition, companies will have to offer a certain proportion of their products in reusable packaging in future. For example, there will be a binding quota for the proportion of recycled material that must be contained in new plastic packaging. The sale of very lightweight plastic carrier bags (less than 15 micrometres), for example, will also be banned. A mandatory deposit system for plastic bottles, for example, is also planned. A ban on perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A in packaging that comes into contact with food is also being discussed.

As soon as the Packaging Ordinance comes into force, it will apply to all companies based in the EU, but also to all non-European manufacturers who import packaging into the EU.

The plastics industry has criticised the new EU packaging regulation. The Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (IK) warns of an undermining of the ecological goals through special rules for plastic packaging and loopholes for other materials.

The special rules for plastic packaging, which are still being extended today, are jeopardising the transformation towards less packaging waste, more recyclable packaging and more use of recycled materials..

Image: Dr Martin Engelmann; Copyright: IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V.

The pan-European association of plastics producers, Plastics Europe, fears that the Parliament's proposed amendments could negatively impact investment in the circular economy.

The proposed changes include arbitrary bans on recyclable single-use plastic packaging that are not supported by an impact assessment or evidence of environmental benefits.

Image: Ingemar Bühler; Copyright: Plastics Europe

"Such material discrimination could lead to environmentally detrimental shifts to other packaging materials, which is contrary to climate and circular economy goals," explains Bühler.

The IK is also disappointed that a proposal for a credit system to make the mandatory recyclate usage quotas more flexible was narrowly rejected by a majority.

It is already clear today that there will not be enough approved recyclates to fulfill the use quotas for food packaging.

Image: Dr. Isabell Schmidt; Copyright: IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V.

"In order to mitigate marketing bans for supply chains due to a lack of recyclates, especially in the area of PE and PP plastics and to ensure a level playing field between mechanical and chemical recycling, we need flexible offsetting of recycled content," says Schmidt.

Image: Plastic packaging; Copyright: jchizhe

Around 25 million tonnes of plastic packaging are used in the EU every year. Copyright: jchizhe

In addition, packaging will be placed on the market with information on correct disposal in accordance with the new EU Packaging Regulation. Three new labels with an additional QR code will provide consumers with information on material composition, reusability and material separation. All reusable packaging will be clearly labelled as such and can be distinguished from disposable packaging. This increases the chance that valuable raw materials are kept in the cycle and do not end up in incineration.

The final version of the Packaging Ordinance is expected this year, with implementation scheduled for 2025. Until then, the old EU directive from 1994 will continue to apply.

Sarah Dietsche (Editorial team K-Mag)

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