European Parliament Agrees on Development Packaging(waste) Regulation

Reason behind the proposal

Due to the increase in online sales and international shipments, the amount of packaging placed into the market is significantly higher than 10 years ago, namely 20%. In order to prevent the amount of packaging waste in EU-Member States, the European Parliament is opting for a Regulation which will level the packaging, labelling, and reporting requirements throughout Europe.

Main effects of the regulation

The regulation will implement several restrictions on packaging which will affect all producers of packaging and packaged good. Since the legislation is still to be finalized, the draft restrictions mentioned are: a ban on packaging that has an empty space of more than 40%, all packaging is to be reduced (double walls and false bottoms are to be removed), and all packaging is to be recyclable.

When it comes to labelling, all packaging (including e-commerce packaging) is to be marked with the material composition, transport packaging is excluded.

Packaging passports, annual reporting to authorities, mandatory DRS Systems and more detailed reporting are talked about. These aspects are to be further determined and will confirm when the final legislation is released.

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Source: European Parliament