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Reform of PPWR Clause in EU's New Packaging Law: Reducing the Negative Impact of Packaging on the Environment

Time：

2024-06-12

Reform of PPWR Clause in EU's New Packaging Law: Reducing the Negative Impact of Packaging on the Environment

On April 24, 2024, the European Parliament passed a draft proposal for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Act (PPWR) on first reading, proposing amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and abolishing the current Packaging Directive 94/62/EC (PPWD). The next step is for the European Parliament to present its opinions on the draft to the European Council. If the European Council agrees to the first reading of the European Parliament's opinion, the regulation will form the final text and be announced. Waiting for the approval of the council, forming the final text and issuing an announcement, becoming law. At that time, there is usually an 18 month transition period.

The PPWR aims to establish a standardized legal framework for packaging and packaging waste disposal in all EU member states, with the aim of reducing the negative environmental impact of EU packaging and promoting a circular economy through unified requirements. PPWR has mainly proposed the following major changes.

Significant Change Clause

01. Harmful substances in packaging

Expanding restrictions on harmful substances in packaging, on the basis of limiting the four heavy metals of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium, new restrictions on perfluorinated and perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) have been added for food contact packaging materials. The specific requirements are as follows:

02. Recyclability of packaging

PPWR requires all packaging to be recyclable. Starting from January 1, 2030, packaging will need to meet the recycling design standards, and from January 1, 2035, recyclable packaging will need to meet the requirements of scale recyclability.

03. Recycled ingredients used in plastic packaging

Any plastic packaging components placed on the market in the future must contain the minimum percentage of recycled components, which are recovered from post consumer plastic waste and calculated based on the average value of each manufacturing plant and year. The minimum percentage varies depending on the packaging type:

04. Minimize packaging

PPWR will require packaging to be reduced to the minimum necessary to ensure its functionality. Packaging that does not meet certain performance standards and packaging that only aims to increase the perceived volume of the packaging will be prohibited.

05. Restrictions on certain packaging forms
● Disposable plastic grouping packaging (such as shrink wrap and finishing film);
Disposable plastic packaging is used for fresh fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kilograms (such as nets, bags, pallets, containers);
Disposable plastic packaging (such as plastic trays, cups) for filling and consuming food and beverages in hotels, restaurants, and cafes/catering industry premises;
● Used for disposable plastic packaging in hotels, restaurants, and cafes/catering industries, including individual parts or portions, for condiments, preserves, sauces, coffee creamers, sugars, and seasonings;
Packaging of micro cosmetics, toiletries, and hygiene products in the accommodation industry;
Ultra lightweight plastic bag (less than 15 microns).

06. Unified packaging labels

The packaging should indicate its material composition to facilitate consumers in classifying packaging waste. Reusable packaging must also be labeled, informing users of its reusability, and providing collection point information and other relevant reuse instructions to users through QR codes. Compostable packaging must indicate that the material is compostable.

07. Extension of Producer Responsibility

Introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging producers to participate in the cost of collecting, classifying, and recycling packaging waste through financial participation.

08. EU Declaration of Conformity

Require packaging manufacturers to issue a packaging qualification declaration before placing it on the market. This statement requires an evaluation of whether the packaging meets the requirements. This statement must follow a specific format and content, and must be kept and provided to regulatory authorities as required within 5 years after the release of disposable packaging on the market and 10 years after the release of reusable packaging on the market.

recommended measure

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Act (PPWR) has developed a comprehensive framework aimed at preventing packaging waste and promoting the reuse and recycling of packaging, which will greatly change the way packaging is designed, consumed, and disposed of in all EU supply chains. It is recommended that packaging material manufacturers and related supply chain enterprises exporting products to Europe take control measures in advance to ensure that packaging materials meet relevant requirements.