EU countries shall ensure that packaging placed on the market complies with Annex II to the Directive. the essential requirements set out in Annex II:
reducing the volume and weight of the packaging to a minimum sufficient to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene, and acceptability for the consumer;
minimizing the presence of hazardous substances in packaging and its components;
creating reusable or otherwise usable packaging.
Biodegradable packaging: Plastic packaging that is oxidatively biodegradable * is not considered biodegradable.
The European Commission is currently examining how these essential requirements could be strengthened in the design of packaging, to improve re-use and high-quality recycling and to strengthen the enforcement of the essential requirements.
Packaging recycling systems
EU countries should ensure that systems are in place to ensure the reuse or collection of used packaging and/or packaging waste, as well as the reuse or recovery, including recycling, of collected packaging and/or packaging waste.
Manufacturer's liability
By 2025, the EU will have to set up producer responsibility systems * for all packaging. Producer liability schemes must ensure the reuse or collection of used packaging and/or packaging waste, as well as the reuse or recovery of collected packaging and/or packaging waste and the recycling of packaging. These systems must meet certain minimum requirements, by the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98 / EC). These systems shall encourage packaging that is designed, manufactured and marketed in such a way as to enable it to be reused or recycled and to minimize the impact on the environment.
WHEN DOES THIS DIRECTIVE APPLY?
Directive 94/62 / EC has been in force since 31 December 1994 and had to be transposed into EU law by 30 June 1996.
Directive 2018/852 / EU has been in force since 4 July 2018 and had to be transposed into EU countries by 5 July 2020.
BACKGROUND
For more information, see:
Packaging and packaging waste (European Commission).
KEY CONCEPTS
Circular economy: An economy that minimizes leakage of resources, waste, emissions, and energy. This is achieved through long-term design, maintenance, repair, reuse, and recycling. It is in contrast to the linear economy, which exploits resources, uses them and then discards them.
Reusable packaging: Packaging which is designed, designed and placed on the market so that it can be re-used over its lifetime by being refillable or reusable for the same original purpose.
Oxidative Biodegradable: Oxidative Biodegradable Packaging is a plastic package with additives that degrade to microscopic size particles. This can contribute to the presence of plastic microparticles in the environment.
Producer Responsibility Schemes: A system created by the manufacturer to ensure that they bear certain responsibilities to reduce some of the environmental impacts of the production, placing on the market and disposal of products.
MAIN DOCUMENTS
Directive 94/62 / EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste (OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10–23)
Subsequent amendments to Directive 94/62 / EC have been incorporated into the body of the text. This consolidated version is for information purposes only.
Directive 2018/852 / EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 94/62 / EC on packaging and packaging waste (OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 141-154) )
RELATED DOCUMENT
Directive 2008/98 / EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3-30)
