(1)

Products need packaging to be protected and easy to transport from where they are produced to where they are used or consumed. Prevention of barriers to the internal market for packaging is key for the functioning of the internal market for products. Fragmented rules and vague requirements cause additional cost to the economic operators.

(1)

Products need appropriate packaging to be protected and easy to transport from where they are produced to where they are used or consumed. Prevention of barriers to the internal market for packaging is key for the functioning of the internal market for products. Fragmented rules and vague requirements cause uncertainty and additional cost to the economic operators.

(2)

In addition, packaging uses high amounts of virgin materials (40 % of plastics and 50 % of paper use in the Union is for packaging) and represents 36 % of municipal solid waste (30) . High and constantly growing levels of packaging generated as well as low levels of re-use and poor recycling, present significant barriers to achieving a low-carbon circular economy. For these reasons, this Regulation should establish rules over the entire life-cycle of packaging contributing to the efficient functioning of the internal market by harmonising national measures, while preventing and reducing the adverse impacts of packaging and packaging waste on the environment and human health. By laying measures in line with the hierarchy of waste, it should contribute to the transition to a circular economy.

(2)

In addition, packaging uses high amounts of virgin materials (40 % of plastics and 50 % of paper use in the Union is for packaging) and represents 36 % of municipal solid waste (30). High and constantly growing levels of packaging generated as well as low levels of re-use and collection and poor recycling, present significant barriers to achieving a low-carbon circular economy. For these reasons, this Regulation should establish rules over the entire life-cycle of packaging contributing to the efficient functioning of the internal market by harmonising national measures, while preventing and reducing the adverse impacts of packaging and packaging waste on the environment and human health. By laying measures in line with the hierarchy of waste, it should contribute to the transition to a circular economy.

(5)

In line with the Green Deal (33) , the new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) (34) commits to reinforcing the essential requirements for packaging in view of making all packaging reusable or recyclable by 2030, and to consider other measures to reduce (over)packaging and packaging waste, drive design for re-use and recyclability of packaging, reduce the complexity of packaging materials and introduce requirements for recycled content in plastic packaging . It commits the Commission to assess the feasibility of Union-wide labelling that facilitates the correct separation of packaging waste at source.

(5)

In line with the Green Deal (33), the new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) (34) commits to reinforcing the essential requirements for packaging in view of making all packaging reusable or recyclable by 2030, and to consider other measures to reduce (over)packaging and packaging waste, drive design for re-use and recyclability of packaging, reduce the complexity of packaging materials , introduce requirements for recycled content in plastic packaging , and assess the need for recycled content requirements for packaging made of materials other than plastic. It highlights the necessity to reduce food waste and encourages circular approaches to the use of water and commits the Commission to assess the feasibility of Union-wide labelling that facilitates the correct separation of packaging waste at source.

(9a)

This Regulation is in line with the objectives set out in ...[the forthcoming directive on environmental claims (2023/0085(COD))], and ...[the forthcoming directive on empowering consumers in the green transition (2022/0092(COD))]. It aims to promote and support substantiated alternatives for more sustainable packaging solutions.

(11)

An item, which is an integral part of a product and is necessary to contain, support or preserve that product throughout its lifetime and where all elements are intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together, should not be considered as being packaging given that its functionality is intrinsically linked to it being part of the product. However, in light of the disposal behaviour of consumers regarding tea and coffee bags as well as coffee or tea system single-serve units, which in practice are disposed of together with the product residue leading to the contamination of compostable and recycling streams, those specific items should be treated as packaging. This is in line with the objective to increase the separate collection of bio-waste, as required by Article 22 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (41) . Furthermore, to ensure coherence regarding end-of-life financial and operational obligations, also all coffee or tea system single-serve units necessary to contain coffee or tea should be treated as packaging.

(11)

An item, which is an integral part of a product and is necessary to contain, support or preserve that product throughout its lifetime and where all elements are intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together, should not be considered as being packaging given that its functionality is intrinsically linked to it being part of the product. However, in light of the disposal behaviour of consumers regarding tea and coffee bags or soft after-use system which in practice are disposed of together with the product residue leading to the contamination of compostable and recycling streams, those specific items should be treated as packaging. This is in line with the objective to increase the separate collection of bio-waste, as required by Article 22 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (41). Furthermore, to ensure coherence regarding end-of-life financial and operational obligations, also all coffee or tea system single-serve units necessary to contain coffee or tea should be treated as packaging.

(12)

In line with the waste hierarchy set out in Article 4(2) of Directive 2008/98/EC, and in line with life-cycle thinking to deliver the best overall environmental outcome, the measures provided for under this Regulation aim at reducing the amount of packaging placed on the market in terms of its volume and weight, and preventing the generation of packaging waste, especially through packaging minimisation, avoiding packaging where it is not needed, and increased re-use of packaging. In addition, the measures aim at increasing the use of recycled content in packaging, especially in plastic packaging where the uptake of recycled content is very low, as well as higher recycling rates for all packaging and high quality of the resulting secondary raw materials while reducing other forms of recovery and final disposal.

(12)

In line with the waste hierarchy set out in Article 4(2) of Directive 2008/98/EC, and in line with life-cycle thinking to deliver the best overall environmental outcome, the measures provided for under this Regulation aim at reducing the amount of packaging placed on the market in terms of its volume and weight, and preventing the generation of packaging waste, especially through packaging minimisation, avoiding packaging where it is not needed, and increased re-use of packaging. In addition, the measures aim at increasing the use of recycled content in packaging, in particular in plastic packaging where the uptake of recycled content is very low, by strengthening high-quality recycling systems, thereby increasing recycling rates for all packaging and improving the quality of the resulting secondary raw materials , while reducing other forms of recovery and final disposal.

(12a)

In line with the waste hierarchy which places waste disposal through landfills as the least preferred option, the measures provided for under this Regulation should be complemented by a review of Council Directive 1999/31/EC  (1a) with the aim to accelerate the phasing-out of landfill of packaging waste.

(13)

Packaging should be designed, manufactured and commercialised in such a way as to allow for its re-use or high-quality recycling, and to minimise its impact on the environment during its entire life-cycle and the life cycle of products, for which it was designed.

(13)

Packaging should be designed, manufactured and commercialised in such a way as to allow for its re-use as many times as possible or high-quality recycling, and to minimise its impact on the environment during its entire life-cycle and the life cycle of products, for which it was designed. The Commission should be empowered the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in order to supplement this Regulation by establishing a minimum number of rotations for reusable packaging in specific packaging categories.

(15a)

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are a large family of more than 4 700 man-made chemicals in accordance with 2018 OECD definitions1a. Since their emergence in the late 1940s, PFASs have been used in an increasingly wide range of consumer products and industrial applications, from food packaging and clothing to electronics, aviation and firefighting foams. They are used for their ability to repel grease and water, as well as for their high stability and resistance to high temperatures, due to their carbon-fluorine bond. That bond is also responsible for their extreme persistence in the environment. Exposure to the most studied PFASs has been associated with a range of adverse health effects1b, including thyroid disease, liver damage, reduced birth weight, obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and reduced response to routine vaccinations, as well as increased risk of breast, kidney and testicular cancer.

(15b)

On 27 May 2020, Denmark published Order No. 681 of May 25, 2020‘Executive Order on Food Contact Materials and Penal Code for Violation of Related EU Acts’ in its Official Gazette (Lovtidende A) to prohibit PFASs chemicals in food contact paper and board materials and articles. Following that example, in light of the health and environmental emergency represented by PFASs and awaiting ECHA's opinion on a wider ban on PFASs for all packaging and for other sectors all paper, cardboard food packaging containing intentionally added PFASs should not be placed on the Union market.

(15c)

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used in the manufacture of materials that come into contact with food, such as reusable plastic tableware or linings for cans, mainly as a protective layer. BPA residues can migrate into food and drink and be ingested by consumers. BPA from sources other than food, including thermal paper, cosmetics and dust, can be absorbed through the skin and by inhalation.

(15d)

In a scientific opinion  (1a) published in January 2015, and in light of the availability of new data EFSA's expert groups indicated that exposure to Bisphenol A was likely to have adverse effects on the kidneys and liver. The findings led EFSA experts to significantly reduce the safe level of BPA - from 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (μg/kg bw/day) to 4 μg/kg bw/day.

(15e)

Considering the danger posed by the presence of Bisphenol A and the risk of migration into food, the presence of intentionally added BPA should be prohibited in packaging that comes into contact with food.

(19)

This Regulation should not enable the restriction of substances based on reasons of chemical safety, or for reasons related to food safety, with the exception of the restrictions on lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium that were already established on the basis of Directive 94/62/EC and should continue to be addressed under this Regulation, given that such restrictions are addressed under other Union legislation. It should , however allow for the restriction , primarily for reasons other than chemical or food safety, of substances present in packaging and packaging components or used in their manufacturing processes, which negatively affect the sustainability of packaging, in particular as regards its circularity, especially re-use or recycling.

(19)

Without prejudice to the restriction of PFAS and Bisphenol A, this Regulation should not enable the restriction of substances based on reasons of chemical safety, or for reasons related to food safety, unless there is an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment, including but not limited to the restrictions on lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium that were already established on the basis of Directive 94/62/EC and should continue to be addressed under this Regulation, given that such restrictions are addressed under other Union legislation. It should also allow for the restriction of substances present in packaging and packaging components or used in their manufacturing processes, which negatively affect the sustainability of packaging, in particular as regards its circularity, especially re-use or recycling processes .

(23)

In order to stimulate innovation in packaging, it is appropriate to allow that packaging, which presents innovative features resulting in significant improvement in the core function of packaging and has demonstrable environmental benefits, is given limited additional time of five years to comply with the recyclability requirements. The innovative features should be explained in the technical documentation accompanying the packaging.

(23)

In order to stimulate innovation in packaging, it is appropriate to allow that packaging, which presents innovative features resulting in significant improvement in the core function of packaging and has demonstrable environmental benefits, is given limited additional time of five years to comply with the recyclability requirements. The innovative features should be justified, especially concerning the use of new or innovative materials and explained in the technical documentation accompanying the packaging.

(24)

In order to protect human and animal health and safety, due to the nature of the packaged products and the related requirements, it is appropriate that the recyclability requirements should not apply to immediate packaging as defined in Article 1 of Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (50)and in Article 4(25) of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and of the Council (51), which are in direct contact with the medicinal product, as well as contact sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745 of the European Parliament and of the Council (52) and of in vitro diagnostics medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/746 of the European Parliament and of the Council (53). These exemptions should apply until 1 January 2035.

(24)

In order to protect human and animal health and safety, due to the nature of the packaged products and the related requirements, it is appropriate that the recyclability requirements should not apply to immediate packaging as defined in Article 1 of Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (50)and in Article 4(25) of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and of the Council (51), which are in direct contact with the medicinal product, of contact sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745 of the European Parliament and of the Council (52)of in vitro diagnostics medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/746 of the European Parliament and of the Council (53) , of contact sensitive plastic packaging for foods intended for infants and young children and food for special medical purposes covered by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (53a) as well as packaging of supplies, components, and immediate packaging components for the manufacturing of medicinal products under Directive 2001/83/EC and for veterinary medicinal products under Regulation (EU) 2019/6 where such packaging needs to comply with the quality standards of the medicinal product . These exemptions should apply until 1 January 2035.

(25)

Some Member States are taking action to encourage recyclability of packaging through modulation of extended producer responsibility fees; such initiatives taken at the national level may create regulatory uncertainty for the economic operators, in particular where they supply packaging in several Member States. At the same time, modulation of extended producer responsibility fees is an effective economic instrument to incentivise more sustainable packaging design leading to better recyclable packaging while improving the functioning of the internal market. It is therefore necessary to harmonise criteria for the modulation of extended producer responsibility fees based on the recyclability performance grade obtained through recyclability assessment, while not setting the actual amounts of such fees. As the criteria should be related to the criteria on packaging recyclability, it is appropriate to empower the Commission to adopt such harmonised criteria at the same time as establishing the detailed design for recycling criteria per packaging categories.

(25)

Some Member States are taking action to encourage recyclability of packaging through modulation of extended producer responsibility fees; such initiatives taken at the national level may create regulatory uncertainty for the economic operators, in particular where they supply packaging in several Member States. At the same time, modulation of extended producer responsibility fees is an effective economic instrument to incentivise more sustainable packaging design leading to better recyclable packaging while improving the functioning of the internal market. It is therefore necessary to harmonise criteria for the modulation of extended producer responsibility fees based on the recyclability performance grade obtained through recyclability assessment, while not setting the actual amounts of such fees and to ensure that such fees are earmarked to finance the net cost of collection, sorting and recycling of packaging . As the criteria should be related to the criteria on packaging recyclability, it is appropriate to empower the Commission to adopt such harmonised criteria at the same time as establishing the detailed design for recycling criteria per packaging categories.

(28)

In order to ensure a high level of human and animal health protection in accordance with requirements in Union legislation and to avoid any risk to the security of supply and to the safety of medicines and medical devices safety, it is appropriate to provide for the exclusion from the obligation of a minimum recycled content in plastic packaging for immediate packaging as defined in Article 1, point 23, of Directive 2001/83/EC and in Article 4, point 25, of Regulation (EU) 2019/6, as well as for contact sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and for contact sensitive packaging of in vitro diagnostics medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/746. This exclusion should also apply to outer packaging of human and veterinary medicinal products as defined in Article 1, point 24, of Directive 2001/83/EC and in Article 4, point 26, of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 in cases where it has to comply with specific requirements to preserve the quality of the medicinal product.

(28)

In order to ensure a high level of human and animal health protection in accordance with requirements in Union legislation and to avoid any risk to the security of supply and to the safety of medicines and medical devices safety, it is appropriate to provide for the exclusion from the obligation of a minimum recycled content in plastic packaging for immediate packaging as defined in Article 1, point 23, of Directive 2001/83/EC and in Article 4, point 25, of Regulation (EU) 2019/6, as well as for contact sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745 , for contact sensitive packaging of in vitro diagnostics medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/746 and for contact-sensitive plastic packaging of foods intended for infants and young children and food for special medical purposes covered by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 . This exclusion should also apply to outer packaging of human and veterinary medicinal products as defined in Article 1, point 24, of Directive 2001/83/EC and in Article 4, point 26, of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 in cases where it has to comply with specific requirements to preserve the quality of the medicinal product. Finally, that exclusion should apply to inks, adhesives, paints, varnishes and lacquers used on packaging and for any plastic part representing less than 5 % of the total weight of the whole packaging unit.

(28a)

In order to achieve the targets for the integration of recycled content referred to in this Regulation, the Commission should publish, no later than 31 December 2025, a report assessing the possibility of setting targets for the use of bio-based plastic raw materials in packaging in order to achieve the target up to a maximum of 50 %, based on sustainability requirements.

(29)

In order to prevent barriers to the internal market and ensure the efficient implementation of the obligations, economic operators should ensure that the plastic part of each unit of packaging contains a certain minimum percentage of recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste.

(29)

In order to prevent barriers to the internal market and ensure the efficient implementation of the obligations, economic operators should ensure that plastic packaging , on average per format, per manufacturing plant, and per year contains a certain minimum percentage of recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste.

(31)

In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the rules on calculating and verifying, per unit of post-consumer plastic waste in packaging, the share of recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste present and establishing the format for technical documentation, the Commission should be empowered to adopt implementing provisions, in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (55).

(31)

In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the rules on calculating and verifying, per post-consumer plastic waste in the packaging format, per manufacturing plant, and per year , the share of recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste present , considering the environmental impact of the recycling process and establishing the format for technical documentation, the Commission should be empowered to adopt implementing provisions, in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (55)

(33)

In order to take into account the risks related to a possible insufficient supply of a specific plastic waste for recycling that might lead to excessive prices or adverse effects on health, safety and the environment, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of temporarily amending the targets for mandatory recycled content in plastic packaging. In evaluating the justification of such a delegated act, the Commission should assess well-reasoned requests from natural and legal persons.

(33)

The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amending the targets for mandatory recycled content in plastic packaging. In evaluating the justification of such a delegated act, the Commission should assess well-reasoned requests from natural and legal persons.

(33a)

The Union packaging recycling market should be strengthened in order to improve the recycling rate, avoid landfill and minimise the export of waste to third countries. The development of Union recycling capacities should occur in cooperation with the sector's actors and industries, and be based on a regulated value chain allowing for quality checks, quality assurance, certification, logistics and pricing.

(35)

The bio-waste waste stream is often contaminated with conventional plastics and the material recycling streams are often contaminated with compostable plastics. This cross-contamination leads to waste of resources, lower quality secondary raw materials and should be prevented at source. As the proper disposal route for compostable plastic packaging is becoming increasingly confusing for consumers, it is justified and necessary to lay down clear and common rules on the use of compostable plastic packaging, mandating it only when its use brings a clear benefit for the environment or for human health. This is particularly the case when the use of compostable packaging helps collect or dispose of bio-waste.

(35)

The bio-waste waste stream is often contaminated with conventional plastics and the material recycling streams are often contaminated with compostable plastics. This cross-contamination leads to waste of resources, lower quality secondary raw materials and should be prevented at source. As the proper disposal route for compostable plastic packaging is becoming increasingly confusing for consumers, it is justified and necessary to lay down clear and common rules on the use of compostable plastic packaging, mandating it only when its use brings a clear benefit for the environment or for human health. This is particularly the case when the use of compostable packaging helps collect or dispose of bio-waste , for example for products where the separation between the content and packaging is particularly complex, such as tea bags or coffee pods .

(36)

For limited packaging applications made of biodegradable plastic polymers, there is a demonstrable environmental benefit of using compostable packaging, which enters composting plants, including anaerobic digestion facilities under controlled conditions. Furthermore, where appropriate waste collection schemes and waste treatment infrastructures are available in a Member State, there should be a limited flexibility in deciding whether to mandate the use of compostable plastics for lightweight plastic carrier bags on its territory. In order to avoid consumer confusion about the correct disposal and considering the environmental benefit of circularity of the carbon, all other plastic packaging should go into material recycling and the design of such packaging should ensure that it does not affect the recyclability of other waste streams .

(36)

For limited packaging applications made of biodegradable plastic polymers, there is a demonstrable environmental benefit of using compostable packaging, which enters composting plants, including anaerobic digestion facilities under controlled conditions. In addition, the biodegradable waste should not lead to the presence of contaminants in the compost. To facilitate the use of compostable packaging that helps collect or dispose of bio-waste, the requirements of EN 13432 "Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable by composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and evaluation criteria for final acceptance of packaging " should be revised with regard to composting times, permissible levels of contamination and restrictions on the release of microplastic to allow these materials to be processed in bio-waste treatment facilities in an appropriate manner . In addition, a similar standard for home-composting should be established in the Union.

(40)

Packaging should be designed so as to minimise its volume and weight while maintaining its ability to perform the packaging functions. The manufacturer of packaging should assess the packaging against the performance criteria, as listed in Annex IV of this Regulation. In view of the objective of this Regulation to reduce packaging and packaging waste generation and to improve circularity of packaging across the internal market, it is appropriate to further specify the existing criteria and to make them more stringent. The list of the packaging performance criteria, as listed in the existing harmonised standard EN 13428:2000 (57), should therefore be modified. While marketing and consumer acceptance remain relevant for packaging design, they should not be part of performance criteria justifying on their own additional packaging weight and volume. However, this should not compromise product specifications for craft and industrial products and food and agricultural products that are registered and protected under the EU geographical indication protection scheme, as part of the Union’s objective to protect cultural heritage and traditional know-how. On the other hand, recyclability, the use of recycled content, and re-use may justify additional packaging weight or volume, and should be added to the performance criteria. Packaging with double walls, false bottoms and other characteristics only aimed to increase the perceived product volume should not be placed on the market, as it does not meet the requirement for packaging minimisation. The same rule should apply to superfluous packaging not necessary for ensuring packaging functionality.

(40)

Packaging should be designed so as to minimise its volume and weight while maintaining its ability to perform the packaging functions. The manufacturer of packaging should assess the packaging against the performance criteria, as listed in Annex IV of this Regulation. In view of the objective of this Regulation to reduce packaging and packaging waste generation and to improve circularity of packaging across the internal market, it is appropriate to further specify the existing criteria and to make them more stringent. The list of the packaging performance criteria, as listed in the existing harmonised standard EN 13428:2000 (57), should therefore be modified. While marketing and consumer acceptance remain relevant for packaging design, they should not be part of performance criteria justifying on their own additional packaging weight and volume. However, this should not compromise product specifications for craft and industrial products and food and agricultural products that are registered and protected under the EU geographical indication protection scheme, as part of the Union’s objective to protect cultural heritage and traditional know-how , or packaging design that is subject to legal protection under Council Regulation (EC) No 6/2002  (57a). On the other hand, recyclability, the use of recycled content, and re-use may justify additional packaging weight or volume, and should be added to the performance criteria. Packaging with double walls, false bottoms and other characteristics only aimed to increase the perceived product volume should not be placed on the market, as it does not meet the requirement for packaging minimisation. The same rule should apply to superfluous packaging not necessary for ensuring packaging functionality.

(44)

It is necessary to inform consumers and to enable them to appropriately dispose of packaging waste , including compostable lightweight and very lightweight plastic carrier bags . The most appropriate manner to do this is to establish a harmonised labelling system based on the material composition of packaging for sorting of waste, and to pair it with corresponding labels on waste receptacles.

(44)

It is necessary to inform consumers and to enable them to appropriately dispose of any packaging waste. The most appropriate manner to do this is to establish a harmonised labelling system based on the material composition of packaging for sorting of waste, and to pair it with corresponding labels on waste receptacles. The need for such a harmonised labelling system to be recognised by all citizens irrespective of their circumstances, such as age and language knowledge, should be a guiding factor in their design. This can be achieved through the use of pictograms with minimal language used. This would also serve to minimise the costs for translation of language used, which would otherwise be required.

(44a)

Sorting is an essential step to ensure greater circularity of packaging. The improvement of sorting capacities, notably through technological innovations, should be encouraged in order to allow a better quality of sorting, and thus a better quality of feedstock for recycling.

(49)

To support the implementation of the objectives of this Regulation, consumers should be protected from misleading and confusing information about packaging characteristics and its appropriate end-of-life treatment, for which harmonised labels have been established under this Regulation . It should be possible to identify packaging included in the extended producer responsibility scheme by means of an accreditation symbol throughout the territory of that system. That symbol should be clear and unambiguous to consumers or users as to the recyclability of packaging. To this end, it could be considered that the Green Dot symbol, which is used in some Member States to signify that a producer has made a financial contribution to a national packaging recovery system  (58) , could mislead consumers to believe that packaging bearing such a symbol is always recyclable.

(49)

To support the implementation of the objectives of this Regulation, consumers should be protected from misleading and confusing information about packaging characteristics and its appropriate end-of-life treatment, for which harmonised labels have been established under this Regulation

(50a)

An expert group should be set up with a balanced participation of representatives of Member States and all parties concerned with packaging. The group should be referred to as the "Packaging Forum" and should contribute in particular to preparing, developing and clarifying sustainability requirements, reviewing the effectiveness of established market surveillance mechanisms and assessing any self-regulatory measures.

(60)

The problem of excessive packaging waste generation cannot be fully addressed by setting obligations on packaging design. For certain packaging types, obligations to reduce the empty space should be set on economic operators in terms of reducing the empty space when using such packaging. In case of grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging used for supply of products to final distributors or end user, the empty space ration should not exceed 40 %. In line with the waste hierarchy, it should be possible for economic operators using sales packaging as e-commerce packaging to be exempted from this obligation.

(60)

The problem of excessive packaging waste generation cannot be fully addressed by setting obligations on packaging design. For certain packaging types, obligations to reduce the empty space should be set on economic operators in terms of reducing the empty space when using such packaging. In case of grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging used for supply of products to final distributors or end user, the empty space ration should not exceed 40 %. In line with the waste hierarchy, it should be possible for economic operators using sales packaging as e-commerce packaging to be exempted from this obligation. That obligation shall not apply to reusable packaging.

(65)

To incentivise waste prevention, a new concept of ‘refill’ should be introduced. Refill should be considered as a specific waste prevention measure that counts towards and is necessary for meeting of the re-use and refill targets . However, containers owned by the consumer, performing a packaging function in the context of refill, such as reusable cups, mugs, bottles or boxes are not packaging in the sense of this Regulation.

(65)

To incentivise waste prevention, a new concept of ‘refill’ should be introduced. Refill should be considered as a specific waste prevention measure that counts towards and is necessary for meeting the prevention targets as set out in this Regulation.

(66)

Where economic operators offer the possibility to purchase products through refill, they should ensure that their refill stations meet certain requirements in order to ensure the health and safety of consumers. In this context, where the consumers use their own containers, the economic operators should therefore inform about the conditions for safe refill and use of those containers. In order to encourage refill, economic operators should not provide packaging free of charge or not being a part of deposit and return system at the refill stations.

(66)

Where economic operators offer the possibility to purchase products through refill, they should ensure that their refill stations meet certain requirements in order to ensure the health and safety of consumers. In this context, where the consumers use their own containers, the economic operators should therefore inform about the conditions for safe refill and use of those containers. In order to encourage refill, economic operators should not provide packaging free of charge or not being a part of deposit and return system at the refill stations. Economic actors should be exempted from liability for food safety problems that could arise from the use of containers provided by consumers.

(67)

In order to reduce the increasing proportion of packaging that is single use and the growing amounts of packaging waste generated, it is necessary to establish quantitative re-use and refill targets on packaging in sectors, which have been assessed as having the greatest potential for packaging waste reduction, namely food and beverages for take-away, large-white goods and transport packaging. This was appraised based on factors such as existing systems for re-use, necessity of using packaging and the possibility of fulfilling the functional requirements in terms of containment, tidiness, health, hygiene and safety. Differences of the products and their production and distribution systems , were also taken into account. The setting of the targets is expected to support the innovation and increase the proportion of re-use and refill solutions. The use of single use packaging for food and beverages filled and consumed within the premises in the HORECA sector should not be allowed.

(67)

In order to reduce the increasing proportion of packaging that is single use and the growing amounts of packaging waste generated, it is necessary to establish quantitative re-use targets on packaging in sectors, which have been assessed as having the greatest potential for packaging waste reduction, namely food and beverages for take-away, large-white goods and transport packaging. This was appraised based on factors such as existing systems for re-use, necessity of using packaging and the possibility of fulfilling the functional requirements in terms of containment, tidiness, health, hygiene and safety. Differences of the products and their production and distribution systems were also taken into account. The setting of the targets is expected to support the innovation and increase the proportion of re-use and refill solutions. Single use packaging for food and beverages filled and consumed , within the premises in the HORECA sector should not be allowed. Consumers should always have the option to purchase food and beverages for take-away in reusable or their own containers at conditions not less favourable than food and beverages offered in single-use packaging. Economic operators selling food or beverages for take-away should offer consumers the option to purchase the food or beverages in their own containers and the option to purchase beverages in reusable packaging.

(68)

To increase their effectiveness and ensure the equal treatment of economic operators, the re-use and refill targets should be placed on the economic operators. In cases of targets for beverages, they should be additionally placed also on the manufacturers, as these actors are able to control the packaging formats used for the products they offer . The targets should be calculated as a percentage of sales in reusable packaging within a system for re-use or through refill or, in case of transport packaging, as a percentage of uses. The targets should be material neutral. In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of targets for re-use and refill, the power to adopt an implementing act in accordance with Article 291 of the Treaty on the methodology for their calculation, should be delegated to the Commission.

(68)

To increase their effectiveness and ensure the equal treatment of economic operators, re-use targets should be placed on the final distributors . The targets should be calculated as a percentage of sales in reusable packaging within a system for re-use or, in case of transport packaging, as a percentage of uses. The targets should be material neutral. In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of targets for re-use and refill, the power to adopt an implementing act in accordance with Article 291 of the Treaty on the methodology for their calculation, should be conferred to the Commission.

(71)

To enable the verification of compliance with the re-use and refill targets, it is necessary that the respective economic operators report to the competent authorities. Economic operators should report the relevant data for each calendar year, starting from 1 January 2030. Member States should make this data publicly available.

(71)

To enable the verification of compliance with the re-use targets, it is necessary that the respective economic operators report to the competent authorities. Economic operators should report the relevant data for each calendar year, starting from 1 January 2030. Member States should make this data publicly available.

(73a)

As very lightweight plastic carrier bags, below 15 microns, have a high potential to become waste and contribute to marine pollution, measures should be taken to restrict their placing on the market except for strictly necessary uses. Those plastic bags should not be placed on the market as packaging for bulk foodstuffs, except for hygienic reasons or for packaging wet bulk foodstuffs such as raw meat, fish or dairy products.

(74a)

A reduction in the use of plastic carrier bags should not lead to a substitution with paper carrier bags. The Commission should monitor the use of paper carrier bags and propose a target, and, if appropriate, measures for the reduction of the consumption of paper carrier bags.

(91)

To achieve an ambitious and sustained reduction in the overall packaging waste generation, targets should be laid down for the reduction of packaging waste per capita to be achieved by 2030. Meeting a target of 5 % reduction in 2030 compared to 2018 should entail an overall absolute reduction of approximately 19 % on average across the Union in 2030 compared to the 2030 baseline. Member States should reduce packaging waste generation by 10 %, compared to 2018, by 2035; this is estimated to reduce packaging waste by 29 % compared to the 2030 baseline. In order to ensure that the reduction efforts continue beyond 2030, a reduction target of 10 % from 2018, which would mean a reduction of 29 % compared to baseline, should be set for 2035 and, for 2040, a reduction target of 15 % from 2018, which means a reduction of 37 % compared to baseline should be established.

(91)

To achieve an ambitious and sustained reduction in the overall packaging waste generation, targets should be laid down for the reduction of packaging waste per capita to be achieved by 2030. Meeting a target of 5 % reduction in 2030 compared to 2018 should entail an overall absolute reduction of approximately 19 % on average across the Union in 2030 compared to the 2030 baseline. Member States should reduce packaging waste generation by 10 %, compared to 2018, by 2035; this is estimated to reduce packaging waste by 29 % compared to the 2030 baseline. In order to ensure that the reduction efforts continue beyond 2030, a reduction target of 10 % from 2018, which would mean a reduction of 29 % compared to baseline, should be set for 2035 and, for 2040, a reduction target of 15 % from 2018, which means a reduction of 37 % compared to baseline should be established. Member States which have established a different system for the management of household packaging waste, on one hand, and of industrial and commercial packaging waste, on the other, should have the opportunity to retain their specificity.

(91a)

As part of its Circular Economy Action Plan, the Commission adopted the communication of 16 January 2018 on a European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy to reduce marine pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and our European dependence on fossil fuels. With plastic consumption on the rise, the strategy calls for better circularity of plastics and effective prevention measures. In line with that strategy, this Regulation should be an instrument to fight against superficial, unnecessary plastics, in order to reverse the trend of production and consumption of plastics, especially single-use plastics.

(92)

Member States may achieve these targets by economic instruments and other measures to provide incentives for the application of the waste hierarchy, including measures to be implemented through extended producer responsibility schemes, and by promoting the setting up and effective operation of systems for re-use and encouraging economic operators to offer the end users further possibilities to refill. Such measures should be adopted in parallel and in addition to other measures under this Regulation aiming at packaging and packaging waste reduction, such as requirements on packaging minimisation, re-use and refill targets , volume thresholds and measures to achieve the sustained reduction of consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags. A Member State may, while observing the general rules laid down in the Treaty and complying with the provisions set out in this Regulation, adopt provisions which go beyond the minimum targets set out in this Regulation.

(92)

Member States may achieve these targets by economic instruments and other measures to provide incentives for the application of the waste hierarchy, including measures to be implemented through extended producer responsibility schemes, and by promoting the setting up and effective operation of systems for re-use and encouraging economic operators to offer the end users further possibilities to refill. Such measures should be adopted in parallel and in addition to other measures under this Regulation aiming at packaging and packaging waste reduction, such as requirements on packaging minimisation, re-use targets, refill obligations , volume thresholds and measures to achieve the sustained reduction of consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags. A Member State may, while observing the general rules laid down in the Treaty and complying with the provisions set out in this Regulation, adopt provisions which go beyond the minimum targets set out in this Regulation.

(96)

In line with the polluter-pays principle expressed in Article 191(2) of the Treaty, it is essential that the producers placing on the Union market packaging and packaged products take responsibility for their management at their end-of life. It should be recalled that extended producer responsibility schemes need to be established, as provided for in Directive 94/62/EC, by 31 December of 2024, as they are the most appropriate means to achieve this and can have a positive environmental impact by reducing the generation of packaging waste and increasing its collection and recycling. There are wide disparities in the way they are set up, in their efficiency and in the scope of responsibility of producers. The rules on extended producer responsibility laid down in Directive 2008/98/EC should therefore in general apply to extended producer responsibility schemes for producers of packaging, and be complemented by further specific provisions where this is necessary and appropriate.

(96)

In line with the polluter-pays principle expressed in Article 191(2) of the Treaty, it is essential that the producers , including e-commerce actors, placing on the Union market packaging and packaged products take responsibility for their management at their end-of life. It should be recalled that extended producer responsibility schemes need to be established, as provided for in Directive 94/62/EC, by 31 December of 2024, as they are the most appropriate means to achieve this and can have a positive environmental impact by reducing the generation of packaging waste and increasing its collection and recycling. There are wide disparities in the way they are set up, in their efficiency and in the scope of responsibility of producers. The rules on extended producer responsibility laid down in Directive 2008/98/EC should therefore in general apply to extended producer responsibility schemes for producers of packaging, and be complemented by further specific provisions where this is necessary and appropriate.

(98)

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council (66)lays down rules on the traceability of traders, which more specifically contain obligations for providers of online platforms allowing consumers to conclude distance contracts with producers offering packaging to consumers located in the Union. In order to prevent free-riding from the extended producer responsibility obligations, it should be specified how such providers of online platforms should fulfil those obligations with regard to the registers of packaging producers established pursuant to this Regulation. In that context, providers of online platforms, falling within the scope of Section 4 of Chapter 3 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, allowing consumers to conclude distance contracts with producers should obtain from those producers information about their compliance with the extended producer responsibility rules set out in this Regulation. The rules on traceability of traders selling packaging online are subject to the enforcement rules set out in Regulation (EU) 2022/2065.

(98)

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council (66)lays down rules on the traceability of traders, which more specifically contain obligations for providers of online platforms allowing consumers to conclude distance contracts with producers offering packaging to consumers located in the Union. In order to prevent free-riding from the extended producer responsibility obligations, it should be specified how such providers of online platforms should fulfil those obligations with regard to the registers of packaging producers established pursuant to this Regulation. In that context, providers of online platforms, falling within the scope of Section 4 of Chapter 3 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, allowing consumers to conclude distance contracts with producers should be bound by certain obligations applicable to producers, unless they prove that the third party for which it facilitates distance selling or delivery has already fulfilled those obligations. Furthermore, they should obtain from those producers information about their compliance with the extended producer responsibility rules set out in this Regulation. The rules on traceability of traders selling packaging online are subject to the enforcement rules set out in Regulation (EU) 2022/2065.

(101a)

The separate collection of packaging is a crucial step to ensure its circularity, and to ensure a strong market for secondary raw materials. The establishment of a mandatory collection rate is an incentive to develop efficient and targeted collection systems at national level, and thus increase the quantity of waste sorted and potentially recycled.

(103a)

This Regulation should take into account the diversity of deposit and return systems that exist in the Union, and ensure that technological developments in these systems are not hindered when they meet the conditions and criteria for increasing collection rates and ensuring better quality recycling. For example, digital deposit and return system offers consumers a QR code system, with a refund of the deposit when deposited at a separate collection point at home or on-the-go.

(107)

Member States which achieve 90 % collection rate of the targeted packaging types without a deposit and return system two consecutive calendar years preceding the entry into force of this obligation, may request not to establish a deposit and return system.

(107)

Member States which achieve at least 85% collection rate of the targeted packaging types without a deposit and return system two consecutive calendar years preceding the entry into force of this obligation, may request not to establish a deposit and return system.

(108)

As a specific packaging waste generation prevention measure, Member States should actively encourage the re-use and refill solutions. They should support the establishment of systems for re-use and refill and monitor their functioning and compliance with the hygiene standards. Member States are encouraged to take also other measures, such as setting up deposit and return systems covering reusable packaging formats, using economic incentives or establishing requirements for final distributors to make available a certain percentage of other products than those covered by re-use and refill targets in reusable packaging or through refill provided that such requirements will not result in fragmentation of single market and creation of trade barriers.

(108)

As a specific packaging waste generation prevention measure, Member States should actively encourage the re-use and refill solutions. They should support the establishment of systems for re-use and refill and monitor their functioning and compliance with the hygiene standards. Member States are encouraged to take also other measures, such as setting up deposit and return systems covering reusable packaging formats, using economic incentives or establishing requirements for final distributors to make available a certain percentage of other products than those covered by re-use targets and refill obligations in reusable packaging or through refill provided that such requirements will not result in fragmentation of single market and creation of trade barriers.

(113a)

While it is important for the Commission to take into account all processing technologies when drafting the delegated acts establishing the recyclability criteria, as well as the criteria for recyclability at scale, it is essential that the Commission further assess the added value of chemical recycling for those fractions that cannot be processed by mechanical recycling technologies. In the context of the objectives that have been set by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (1a) , the Commission should take into account the energy consumption of new technologies, water consumption, material losses and, in the context of the revision of the Union legislative framework on environmental claims, and avoid misleading environmental claims, by limiting those applications to a truly circular approach, excluding, for example, approaches to converting materials into fuel.

(113b)

An economic operator should be able to make environmental claims on packaging placed on the market only if they are substantiated in accordance with the Directive on Green Claims. As regards recyclability, the level of recycled content and reusability, those claims should be possible only for packaging properties exceeding the applicable minimum requirements set out in this Regulation.

(117a)

Separate out-of-home collection is an important element in order to increase collection rates of packaging, and improve its circularity. Member States and economic actors should be able to take specific measures for separate out-of-home collection, adapted to the location and habits of consumers.

(123)

Effective enforcement of sustainability requirements is essential to ensure fair competition to ensure that this Regulation’s expected benefits and contribution to achieving the Union’s climate, energy and circularity objectives are achieved. Therefore, Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council (73)setting out a horizontal framework for market surveillance and control of products entering the Union market should apply to packaging for which sustainability requirements are set pursuant to this Regulation.

(123)

Effective enforcement of sustainability requirements is essential to ensure fair competition to ensure that this Regulation’s expected benefits and contribution to achieving the Union’s climate, energy and circularity objectives are achieved. Therefore, a minimum number of checks of economic operators placing packaging on the Union market should be established, and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council (73)setting out a horizontal framework for market surveillance and control of products entering the Union market should apply to packaging for which sustainability requirements are set pursuant to this Regulation.

(130)

When it comes to packaging entering the Union market, priority should be given to cooperation in the market between market surveillance authorities and economic operators. Therefore, whereas they may concern any packaging entering the Union market, interventions by authorities designated pursuant to Article 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 should focus primarily on packaging subject to prohibition measures taken by market surveillance authorities. In case they take such prohibition measures, and they are not restricted to the national territory, market surveillance authorities should communicate to authorities designated for the controls on packaging entering the Union market the details necessary for the identification of such non-compliant packaging at the borders, including information on the packaged products and the economic operators to enable a risk-based approach for products entering the Union market. In such cases, customs will aim at identifying and stopping this packaging at the borders.

(130)

In order to safeguard the functioning of the internal market, and create a level playing field, it is necessary to ensure that packaging from third countries entering the Union market complies with this Regulation , whether it is imported as self-standing packaging or in a packaged product. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that appropriate conformity assessment procedures have been carried out by manufacturers with regard to that packaging. Priority should be given to cooperation in the market between market surveillance authorities and economic operators. Therefore, whereas they may concern any packaging entering the Union market, interventions by authorities designated pursuant to Article 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 should focus primarily on packaging subject to prohibition measures taken by market surveillance authorities. In case they take such prohibition measures, and they are not restricted to the national territory, market surveillance authorities should communicate to authorities designated for the controls on packaging entering the Union market the details necessary for the identification of such non-compliant packaging at the borders, including information on the packaged products and the economic operators to enable a risk-based approach for products entering the Union market. In such cases, customs will aim at identifying and stopping this packaging at the borders.

(f)

tea or coffee bags necessary to contain a tea or coffee product and intended to be used and disposed of together with the product;

(f)

permeable tea or coffee bags or soft after-use system and single-serve units that contain a tea or coffee product and are intended to be used and disposed of together with the product;

(g)

coffee or tea system single-serve unit necessary to contain a coffee or tea product and intended to be used and disposed of together with the product;

(g)

non-permeable coffee or tea system single-serve unit necessary to contain a coffee or tea product and intended to be used and disposed of together with the product;

(4)

‘transport packaging’ means packaging conceived so as to facilitate handling and transport of a number of sales units or grouped packages, including e-commerce packaging but excluding road, rail, ship and air containers, in order to prevent physical handling and transport damage ;

(4)

‘transport packaging’ means packaging conceived so as to facilitate handling and transport of any number of sales units or grouped packages, including e-commerce packaging but excluding road, rail, ship and air containers, in order to prevent damage from physical handling and transport to the product ;

(16)

‘final distributor’ means the distributor who delivers packaged products or products that can be purchased through refill to the end user;

(16)

‘final distributor’ means the distributor who delivers packaged products or products that can be purchased through refill or re-use to the end user;

(19)

‘composite packaging’ means a unit of packaging made of two or more different materials, excluding materials used for labels, closures and sealing, which cannot be separated manually and therefore form a single integral unit;

(19)

‘composite packaging’ means a unit of packaging made of two or more different materials, excluding materials used for labels, coatings, lining, varnishes, paints, inks, adhesives, lacquers, closures and sealing which are part of the weight of the main packaging material , which cannot be separated manually and therefore form a single integral unit , unless a given material constitutes an insignificant part of the packaging unit and in no case more than 10 % of the total mass of the packaging unit ;

(22)

‘re-use’ means any operation by which reusable packaging is used again for the same purpose for which it was conceived;

(22)

‘re-use’ means any operation by which reusable packaging is used again several times for the same purpose for which it was conceived and made possible by adequate logistics and promoted by suitable incentive systems, usually by a deposit scheme ;

(26)

‘systems for re-use’ means organisational, technical /or financial arrangements, which enable the re-use either in a closed loop or open loop system. Deposit and return systems, when they ensure that packaging is collected for re-use, are considered as part of a ‘system for re-use’;

(26)

‘systems for re-use’ means organisational, technical and/or financial arrangements, together with incentives, that allow the re-use either in a closed loop or open loop system. Deposit and return systems, when they ensure that packaging is collected for re-use, are considered as part of a ‘system for re-use’;

(28)

‘refill’ means an operation by which an end user fills its own container, which fulfils the packaging function, with a product or several products offered by the final distributor in the context of a commercial transaction ;

(28)

‘refill’ means an operation by which an end user fills its own container or a container provided at the point of sale by the final distributor , which fulfils the packaging function, with a product or several products purchased through a final distributor;

(31)

‘design for recycling’ means design of packaging, including individual components of packaging, in order to ensure its recyclability with state-of-the-art collection, sorting and recycling processes;

(31)

‘design for recycling’ means design of packaging, including individual components of packaging, in order to ensure its recyclability with state-of-the-art collection, sorting and recycling processes , giving priority to mechanical recycling processes ;

(31a)

'recyclability' means the assessment of the compatibility of packaging with the management and processing of waste by design, based on separate collection, sorting in separate streams, recycling at scale, and use of recycled materials to replace primary raw materials in new packaging;

(32)

‘recycled at scale’ means collected , sorted and recycled through installed state-of-the-art infrastructure and processes , covering at least 75 % of the Union population , including packaging waste exported from the Union that meets the requirements of Article 47(5);

(32)

‘recycled at scale’ means the existence of a sufficient capacity for the collected packaging waste to be directed to defined and recognised waste streams through established industrial processes for reprocessing in actual systems proven in operational environment , including packaging waste exported from the Union that meets the requirements of Article 47(5);

(32a)

‘high quality recycling’ means any recovery operation, as defined in Article 3, point (17), of Directive 2008/98/EC, that ensures that the distinct quality of the collected and sorted waste is preserved or recovered during that recovery operation, so that the resulting recycled materials are of sufficient quality to substitute primary raw materials;

(34)

‘integrated component’ means a packaging component that may be distinct from the main body of the packaging unit, and may be of a different material, but is integral to the packaging unit and its functioning and does not need to be separated from the main packaging unit in order to consume the product and is typically discarded at the same time as the packaging unit, although not necessarily in the same disposal route;

(34)

‘integrated component’ means a packaging component that may be distinct from the main body of the packaging unit, and may be of a different material, but is integral to the packaging unit and its functioning and does not need to be separated from the main packaging unit and is typically discarded at the same time as the packaging unit, although not necessarily in the same disposal route;

(35)

‘separate component’ means a packaging component that is distinct from the main body of the packaging unit, which may be of a different material, that needs to be disassembled completely and permanently from the main packaging unit in order to access the product , and that is typically discarded prior to and separately from the packaging unit;

(35)

‘separate component’ means a packaging component that is distinct from the main body of the packaging unit, which may be of a different material, that needs to be disassembled completely and permanently from the main packaging unit, and that is typically discarded prior to and separately from the packaging unit;

(37)

‘innovative packaging’ means a form of packaging that is manufactured using new materials, design or production processes, resulting in a significant improvement in the functions of packaging, such as containment, protection, handling, delivery or presentation of products, and in demonstrable environmental benefits, with the exception of packaging that is the result of modification of existing packaging for the sole purpose of improved presentation of products and marketing;

(37)

‘innovative packaging’ means a form of packaging that is manufactured using new and innovative materials, design or production processes, resulting in a significant improvement in the functions of packaging, such as containment, protection, handling, delivery of products, and in demonstrable environmental benefits overall , with the exception of packaging that is the result of modification of existing packaging for the main purpose of improved presentation of products and marketing;

(38)

‘secondary raw materials’ means materials that have been obtained through recycling processes and can substitute primary raw materials;

(38)

‘secondary raw materials’ means materials that have been obtained through recycling processes and have undergone all necessary checking and sorting and can substitute primary raw materials;

(40)

‘contact sensitive packaging’ means packaging that is intended to be used in any packaging applications in the scope of Regulations: (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 1935/2004, (EC) No 767/2009, (EC) No 2009/1223, (EU) 2017/745, (EU) 2017/746, (EU) 2019/4, (EU) 2019/6, Directive 2001/83/EC, or Directive 2008/68/EC;

(40)

‘contact sensitive packaging’ means packaging that is intended to be used in any packaging applications in the scope of Regulations: (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 1935/2004, (EC) No 767/2009, (EC) No 2009/1223, (EU) 2017/745, (EU) 2017/746, (EU) 2019/4, (EU) 2019/6, Directive 2001/83/EC, Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council  (1a) , or Directive 2008/68/EC;

(41)

‘compostable packaging’ means packaging capable of undergoing physical, chemical, thermal or biological decomposition such that most of the finished compost ultimately decomposes into carbon dioxide, mineral salts, biomass and water, according to Article 47(4) , and does not hinder the separate collection and the composting process or activity into which it is introduced in industrially controlled conditions;

(41)

'compostable packaging’ means packaging capable of undergoing physical, chemical, thermal or biological decomposition such that most of the finished compost ultimately decomposes into carbon dioxide, mineral salts, biomass and water, according to Article 47(8) , and does not hinder the separate collection and the composting or anaerobic digestion process or activity into which it is introduced in industrially controlled conditions , in accordance with the applicable requirements laid down in the harmonised European standards EN 13432 ;

(41a)

‘home compostable packaging’ means packaging that can also biodegrade in non-controlled conditions compared to industrial scale composting facilities and the composting process of which is performed by private individuals with the aim of producing compost for their own use.

(41b)

‘bio-based plastic’ means a plastic whose raw materials are made from biomass  (1a);

(50)

‘deposit’ means a fixed sum of money, not being part of the price of a packaged or filled product that is collected from the end user when purchasing such packaged or filled product, covered by a deposit and return system in a given Member State and redeemable when the end user returns the deposit bearing packaging to a collection point established for that purpose;

(50)

‘deposit’ means a defined sum of money, not being part of the price of a packaged or filled product that is collected from the end user when purchasing such packaged or filled product, covered by a deposit and return system in a given Member State and redeemable when the end user , or any other person, returns the deposit bearing packaging to a collection point established for that purpose;

(51)

‘deposit and return system’ means a system, in which a deposit is charged to the end user when purchasing a packaged or filled product covered by this system, and redeemed to the end user when the deposit bearing packaging is returned to a collection point established for that purpose;

(51)

‘deposit and return system’ means a system, in which a deposit is charged to the end user when purchasing a packaged or filled product covered by this system, and redeemed to the end user when the deposit bearing packaging is returned to a collection point established for that purpose or properly deposited in the type of waste receptacle provided for that purpose, at home or in public spaces ;

(57)

‘packaging presenting a risk’ means a packaging that, by not complying with a requirement set out in or pursuant to this Regulation other than those listed in Article 56(1), may adversely affect the environment or other public interests protected by that requirement;

(57)

‘packaging presenting a risk’ means a packaging that, by not complying with a requirement set out in or pursuant to this Regulation other than those listed in Article 56(1), may adversely affect the environment , health, or other public interests protected by that requirement;

(a)

it is designed for recycling;

(a)

it is designed for recycling , as set out in the delegated acts adopted by the Commission pursuant to paragraph 4 ;

(d)

it can be recycled so that the resulting secondary raw materials are of sufficient quality to substitute the primary raw materials;

(d)

it can be recycled so that the resulting secondary raw materials are of sufficient quality to substitute primary raw materials;

(e)

it can be recycled at scale.

(e)

it is recyclable at scale in accordance with the methodology established in the delegated acts adopted by the Commission pursuant to paragraph 6 .

(a)

comply with the design for recycling criteria as laid down in the delegated acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 4 no later than 36 months after the date of publication of the delegated acts referred to in paragraph 4; and

(b)

comply with the recyclability at scale requirements laid down in the delegated acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 6 no later than 36 months after the date of publication of the delegated acts referred to in paragraph 6, in addition to point (a) of this paragraph .

(a)

the manner in which to express the result of the recyclability assessment in recyclability performance grades from A to E, as set out in Table 3 of Annex II, based on the percentage of the packaging unit, in weight, which is recyclable in accordance with paragraph 1;

(b)

detailed design for recycling criteria , including specific requirements for high quality recycling, where appropriate, for each packaging material and category listed in Table 1 of Annex II;

(c)

a description, for each packaging category listed in Table 1 of Annex II, of the conditions for compliance with the respective performance grades;

(d)

the modulation of the financial contributions to be paid by producers to comply with their extended producer responsibility obligations as referred to in Article 40, based on the packaging performance grade;

(e)

the manner in which to assess the recyclability at scale for each packaging category listed in Table 1 of Annex II in order to establish updated recyclability performance grades.

(a)

establish design for recycling criteria and recycling performance grades based on the criteria and parameters listed in Tables 2 and 2a of Annex II for packaging categories listed in Table 1 of that Annex; design-for-recycling criteria shall consider state-of-the-art collection, sorting and recycling processes and shall cover all packaging components;

(b)

establish rules concerning the modulation of financial contributions to be paid by producers to comply with their extended producer responsibility obligations set out in Article 40(1), based on the packaging recycling performance grade, and where applicable , the percentage of recycled content.

(b)

amounts of separately collected packaging waste, per packaging material listed in Table 1 of Annex II, in the Union as whole and in each Member State;

(b)

amounts of separately collected packaging waste, per packaging material listed in Table 1 of Annex II, in the Union as whole and in each Member State , taking into account Member States obligations under Article 43 of this Regulation ;

(d)

installed infrastructure capacities for sorting and recycling in the Union as a whole for each packaging type listed in Table 1 of Annex II.

(d)

installed infrastructure capacities for sorting and recycling in the Union as a whole for each packaging type listed in Table 1 of Annex II , taking into account Member States’ obligations under Article 43 of this Regulation .

(a)

the manner in which to express the result of the recyclability assessment in recyclability performance grades from A to E, as described in Table 3 of Annex II, based on the percentage of the packaging unit, in weight, which is recyclable according to paragraph 1;

(b)

detailed design for recycling criteria for each packaging material and category listed in Table 1 of Annex II;

(c)

a description, for each packaging category listed in Table 1 of Annex II, of the conditions for compliance with the respective performance grades;

(d)

the modulation of the financial contributions to be paid by producers to comply with their extended producer responsibility obligations as referred to in Article 40, based on the packaging performance grade;

(e)

the manner in which to assess the recyclability at scale for each packaging category listed in Table 1 of Annex II in order to establish, as of 2035, updated recyclability performance grades.

(a)

where a unit of packaging includes integrated components, the assessment of compliance with the design for recycling criteria and with the at scale recyclability requirements shall include all integrated components;

(b)

where a unit of packaging includes separate components, the assessment of compliance with the design for recycling requirements and with the at scale recyclability requirements shall be done separately for each separate component; if an integrated component of the packaging unit is easily separable by hand and there are clear instructions for the consumer, the overall recyclability shall be a combination of the assessments for each individual component;

(c)

all components of a unit of packaging shall be compatible with the state of the art collection, sorting and recycling processes and shall not hinder the recyclability of the main body of the unit of packaging.

(b)

contact sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745;

(b)

contact sensitive packaging of medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745;

(c)

contact sensitive plastic packaging of in vitro diagnostics medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/746.

(c)

contact sensitive packaging of in vitro diagnostics medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/746.

(ca)

contact sensitive packaging for infant formula and follow-on formula, processed cereal-based food and baby food, and food for special medical purposes as defined in Article 1, points (a), (b) and (c), of Regulation (EU) No 609/2013.

(a)

30 % for contact sensitive packaging made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the major component;

(a)

30 % for contact sensitive packaging , except single use beverage bottles, made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the major component;

(b)

10 % for contact sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET, except single use plastic beverage bottles;

(b)

7,5 % for contact sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET, except single use plastic beverage bottles;

(d)

35 % for packaging other than those referred to in points (a), (b) and (c).

(d)

35 % for plastic packaging other than those referred to in points (a), (b) and (c).

(aa)

25 % for contact sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET.

(b)

contact sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745;

(b)

contact sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices , or devices exclusively destined for research use and investigational devices covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/745;

(da)

contact sensitive plastic packaging for food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and packaging for drinks and food typically used for young children as defined in Article 1, points (a), (b) and (c), of Regulation (EU) No 609/2013;

(db)

packaging of supplies, components, and immediate packaging components for the manufacturing of medicinal products under Directive 2001/83/EC and for veterinary medicinal products under Regulation (EU) 2019/6 where such packaging is needed to be in line with the quality standards of the medicinal product.

(a)

compostable plastic packaging;

(b)

inks, adhesives, paints, varnishes and lacquers used on packaging;

(c)

any plastic part representing less than 5 % of the total weight of the whole packaging unit.

(a)

provide for derogations from the scope, timing or level of minimum percentage laid down in paragraph 1 , points b and d, for specific plastic packaging, and, as appropriate,

(a)

provide for derogations from the scope, timing or level of minimum percentage laid down in paragraph 2 ,

(aa)

modify the targets established in paragraphs 1 and 2,

(a)

lay down targets for the use of bio-based plastic feedstock in packaging;

(b)

lay down sustainability requirements for bio-based plastic feedstock to become eligible to contribute to the targets, considering the existing sustainable criteria laid down in Article 29 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001;

(c)

introduce the possibility to meet up to a maximum of 50 % of the targets set out in Article 7(1) and (2) by using bio-based plastic feedstock.

(a)

lay down sustainability requirements for bio-based feedstock in plastic packaging, taking into consideration the existing sustainable criteria laid down in Article 29 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001;

(b)

lay down targets for the use of bio-based feedstock in plastic packaging.

(c)

any test results, studies or other relevant sources used to assess the minimum necessary volume or weight of the packaging.

(c)

any test results, studies or other relevant sources , such as modelling and simulation, used to assess the minimum necessary volume or weight of the packaging.

(a)

it has been conceived, designed and placed on the market with the objective to be re-used or refilled ;

(a)

it has been conceived, designed and placed on the market with the objective to be re-used for multiple times ;

(b)

it has been conceived and designed to accomplish as many trips or rotations as possible in normally predictable conditions of use;

(b)

it has been conceived and designed to accomplish as many rotations as possible in normally predictable conditions of use;

(ha)

it fulfils the requirements regarding consumer health, safety and hygiene.