In a world where sustainability and environmental responsibility are no longer options, but fundamental conditions for operating on the market, European packaging regulations They represent a critical point for every company. At Teamplast, we often find ourselves supporting customers not only as suppliers, but also as strategic partners, helping them correctly interpret and apply increasingly stringent and constantly evolving regulations. This article aims to provide an updated compass for those working with packaging who want to stay abreast of changes.
Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD)
There Directive 94/62/EC, known as Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), represents the first major European reference on the subject of packaging. It introduced fundamental principles such as:
- waste prevention at source
- the recycling and recovery of energy and materials
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Over time, this directive has undergone several updates, with the aim of harmonizing Member States' policies and increasing recycling performance. At Teamplast, we have closely monitored these developments to ensure our solutions are always compliant and proactive.
PPWR Regulation Coming Soon: What It Includes
The real regulatory turning point will be represented by the new PPWR – Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, currently under approval. Unlike the PPWD, the PPWR will be a regulation directly applicable in all Member States, without the need for national implementation.
What it includes:
- Obligation to render all packaging recyclable by 2030
- Limits to the over-design and unnecessary packaging
- Promotion of the reuse and returnable systems
- Recycled content target for plastic
For companies like ours, this regulation is comforting as we have always believed in perfectly recyclable monomaterials and their reuse.
Environmental labeling of packaging: obligations and tools
From 1 January 2023, in Italy it is mandatory to label packaging with information useful for separate waste collection, based on the Legislative Decree 116/2020. This means:
- indicate material And identification code according to Decision 97/129/EC
- clearly communicate the methods of disposal (e.g. collection of plastic, paper, glass, etc.)
We at Teamplast, We began this product labeling process back in October 2020, also informing all our customers of the impending change, anticipating the decree by more than two years.
In fact, by January 2023, most of our customers were already compliant with the Decree with their packaging from all of 2021 and 2022, a practice that was advantageous for them as they were not forced to discard any old supplies. We support our customers in creation of compliant labels, providing technical and graphic information, but also advice on how to make communication simple and understandable for the end consumer.
Producer Responsibilities and Obligations for SMEs
One of the biggest challenges is represented by the so-called EPR – Extended Producer ResponsibilityIn practice, anyone placing packaging on the market is required to:
- finance the management of waste generated
- reduce the environmental impact of their products
- comply with specific technical and information requirements
For SMEs, this entails the need to to continuously update oneself, but also to choose reliable partners. In Teamplast, for example, we always try to offer a consultancy support, not just operational: we help small businesses navigate codes, materials, and forms.
How to prepare for regulatory changes
To face this new regulatory phase with serenity, the advice we always give is:
- to constantly form: attend webinars, read reliable sources, interact with those who work in the field
- choose informed suppliers, who know the rules and can translate them into practical solutions
- start designing packaging with a circular perspective: less materials, more recyclability, more transparency
At Teamplast, we are already working to anticipate PPWR requirements, collaborating with customers and stakeholders to design sustainable, regulatory-compliant, and communicatively effective packaging.
The world of packaging has entered a phase of significant regulatory transformation. Those who can interpret these changes not as obstacles, but as opportunities for improvement, will be able to stand out for its reliability, transparency, and innovation. We at Teamplast are here: ready to support any company that wants to address the future of packaging with expertise and vision.
Contact us today to find out more.
