For this review of the European Union policies and legislations, there are multiple initiatives for brands to be aware of :
● the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD),
● the EU Waste Framework Directive and the Single-Use Plastics Directive,
● the Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0 and the challenge of recycled content on food contact material.

As all those initiatives can feel a bit difficult to follow, we tried to gather here a few highlights.
A complete overview is available in our webinars on the topic for more precise information.

🎥 Watch the first webinar from June 2020 to find out more about the challenges associated with the implementation of the main European Directives, as well as how Amcor is navigating these developments to help customers get their packaging ready.

Circular economy

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) requires Member States to set up “systems” for return and/or collection of used packaging for reuse or recovery, including recycling, in order to meet the PPWD’s targets. The revision of the PPWD will establish the waste hierarchy, set a definition for “recycling” and introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The deadline for new EPR implementation is set for 2024.

Green Deal

The European Green Deal, launched in December 2019, sets out the new growth strategy for Europe that aims to transform the EU into a fair, resource-efficient economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.

As part of the Green Deal, a new circular economy action plan was presented in March 2020. It outlines future measures to make all products placed on the EU market designed to last longer, to be easier to repair, to be recyclable or reusable.

Food Contact Materials

The framework directive on food contact materials (FCM) sets general requirements for packaging to ensure quality and safety.

The European Commission is considering a revision of the FCM legislation with the aim of improving food safety, supporting innovative and more sustainable packaging solutions, and supporting the use of reusable and recyclable materials.

What it means for your packaging

Amcor can help responding to these regulatory and legislative challenges, by offering the following solutions:

● Study different criterias such as target shelf-life, food safety considerations, transport, life-cycle assessment to help you choose the best packaging material for the product,

● Increase post-consumer recycled content use in the packaging (in compliance with food safety),

● Follow design for recyclability guidelines to create recyclable packaging,

● Support the establishment of harmonized recycling infrastructure, as well as expand collection and infrastructure,

● Align industry actions with legislative goals,

● Collaborate along the value chain.

To find out more about the regulatory changes and Amcor’s packaging solutions, watch now the first webinar we created on the subject 👉 Get Ready for Change: Understanding Europe’s Current and Coming Packaging Sustainability Regulations. And don’t forget to download the supplementary fact sheet which gives an overview of the key European Directives.

In our second webinar on the topic held in March 2021, we covered the latest evolutions, what implementation may look like and the challenges when member states roll out the regulations differently in different countries.

Unsing as an example the fragmented evolution of the plastics taxes, our guest speakers discussed possible solutions to adapt packaging within this complex context. We aim to inform our viewers about ways to minimize the impact of a fragmented EU approach on their own processes, and help them to continue to pursue their goals towards more sustainable packaging.
Watch now on demand.

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