EU Parliament votes in favour of packaging regulation
24 APRIL 2024
Few topics are currently occupying the industry as much as the planned Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Today, Wednesday (24 April), the Parliament met in Brussels and adopted the PPWR by 476 votes to 129 with 24 abstentions
Even before the final vote on the trilogue result on the reform of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the S&D Group's shadow rapporteur for the packaging rules and environmental policy spokesperson for the European Social Democrats Delara Burkhardt spoke out:
"The reformed packaging rules are good news for a more sustainable Europe. The new rules ensure less waste, more environmental protection and stronger consumer rights. The reform of the packaging rules will bring tangible improvements for consumers in their everyday lives. The new rules on reducing packaging material will mean that rubbish bins at home will no longer overflow so quickly. Clearer labelling on packaging will make it easier to separate waste correctly. New limits for harmful PFAS chemicals in food packaging will increase health protection."
The provisional agreement with the Council not only includes packaging reduction targets (5 per cent by 2030, 10 per cent by 2035 and 15 per cent by 2040), it also obliges the EU member states to reduce plastic packaging waste. In order to reduce unnecessary packaging, the proportion of empty space for outer packaging, transport packaging and packaging for e-commerce must not exceed 50 per cent in future. Manufacturers and importers must also ensure lighter packaging with less volume.
"The PPWR represents a great opportunity to minimise the waste and resource consumption of packaging and at the same time increase its recyclability, both through actual recycling and through the increased use of recycled plastics." - Jakob Mosser, Chairman of Flexible Packaging Europe
Changes to single-use plastic packaging
From 1 January 2030, certain single-use plastic packaging will be banned, e.g. packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, packaging for food and beverages offered for consumption or served in cafés and restaurants, single portions (e.g. spices, sauces, cream, sugar), small single-use plastic packaging for toiletries in hotels and very lightweight plastic carrier bags (with a wall thickness of less than 15 microns). In the interests of health protection, it will be prohibited in future to use so-called perpetual chemicals (perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS for short) in packaging that comes into contact with food.
For packaging of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (with the exception of milk, wine, aromatised wine, spirits, etc.), transport and sales packaging as well as secondary packaging, special targets for reuse by 2030 have been set. Under certain conditions, Member States may authorise a five-year derogation from these requirements. Final distributors of beverages and takeaway food must allow consumers to use their own containers. They must also endeavour to offer 10 percent of their products in reusable packaging by 2030.
Focus on recyclability
Under the new regulations, all packaging (except packaging made from lightweight wood, cork, textiles, rubber, ceramics, porcelain and wax) must meet strict recyclability requirements. Minimum targets are also set for the recycled content of plastic packaging and minimum targets for the recycling of packaging waste by weight. By 2029, 90 per cent of all single-use plastic and metal beverage containers (up to three litres) must be collected separately (through deposit systems or other methods that ensure this target is met).
"For the first time, the EU is introducing packaging reduction targets in an environmental law, regardless of the material used. The new regulations support innovation and also provide for exemptions for micro-enterprises. The fact that chemicals are now completely banned from food packaging is a huge success for the health of European consumers. We now call on all industries, EU countries and consumers to join the fight against unnecessary packaging." - Frédérique Ries, rapporteur (Renew, Belgium)
Before the agreement can enter into force, the Council must also formally approve it. Jakob Mosser comments on the way forward:
"The flexible packaging industry is now looking forward to the next steps in the authorisation process. Following the publication of the PPWR, the important phase of secondary legislation begins and the industry is pushing for timely adoption of the detailed regulations on all sustainability requirements. The FPE and its members look forward to continuing to share our expertise with policy makers and support them in achieving ambitious and enforceable packaging legislation that supports a resource efficient society."
The negotiated agreement, which has now been endorsed by the European Parliament, brought significant changes to the European Commission's original proposal for a regulation, particularly in relation to the restriction of packaging formats in the HORECA sector and the targets for take-away reuse.
"We welcome the European Parliament's vote to move forward with this important environmental legislation. The regulation sets ambitious and binding targets for reusability and recycling in the industry. We are committed to providing our customers with innovative and fully recyclable packaging solutions. We are pleased that the regulation adopted today by the European Parliament respects the principle of best environmental performance by allowing the use of renewable and recyclable paper-based single-use packaging in the HORECA sector." - Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Huhtamaki
interseroh+ is also dealing with the content of the regulation. In a webinar with packaging journal, Managing Director Frank Kurrat, Head of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Dr Jan Hendrik Kempkes, Head of "Made for Recycling" Julian Thielen and Head of Sales EPR Solutions Felix Mynarek spoke about the current state of affairs, particularly with regard to the new requirements for the recyclability of packaging and the use of recyclates.
Source: Packaging-Journal