Packaging is affected directly by European and UK law and indirectly by waste regulations. You need to understand these regulations and any future changes, as well as understanding why your customers will be asking for less packaging.
Keep up to date with changes in legislation to:
• save your company time and money;
• improve brand equity and visibility; and
• gain a competitive edge in the market place.
Central European Norm (CEN) Standards The Essential Requirements are a legal framework to drive minimisation. They are supported by detailed CEN standards for which there is also a detailed EUROPEN (The European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment) guide to application. To access the supporting guidance material click here
Currently there are three pieces of legislation affecting packaging.
1. The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (2004) tackles the environmental impact of packaging by setting targets, reviewed every five years, for the recycling and recovery of packaging waste. To find out more click here
This directive receives the force of UK law through two pieces of legislation:
2. The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 (as amended) requires that packaging is minimised; that it can be recycled and recovered; that dangerous substances (such as heavy metals) are restricted. To find out more click here
3. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 places an obligation to reduce packaging on all UK companies with £2 million plus turnover or handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging each year. To find out more click here
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Other regulations that affect packaging:
Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 2005 which protects food from contamination by packaging. To find out more click here
Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2006 which protects food from contamination by plastics. To find out more click here
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Other Drivers for Change
EU Landfill Directive
The EU Landfill Directive requires a step change in the way we dispose of waste in this country and sets demanding targets to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that is sent to landfill. To find out more click here
The Courtauld Commitment
Since the signing of the Courtauld Commitment, the UK's top 12 grocery retailers have outlined a range of actions they have taken over the past year and their longer term initiatives to embed household waste reduction in their corporate strategies. A number of well known brands have also signed up to the Courtauld Commitment. Read more here.
