Introduction to EU Packaging Directives

Old Directive 94/62/EC

As early as 1994, EU member states had issued the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC, 2004/12/EC), which aimed to ensure that packaging was suitable for collection, reuse, and recycling, promoting energy recovery; Minimize the toxicity, danger, and environmental impact of packaging materials as much as possible; Minimize the weight and volume of packaging waste.

New Directive 2013/2/EU

On February 7, 2013, the European Union issued Directive 2013/2/EU in the official gazette to amend Appendix I of the 94/62/EC Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. This directive shall take effect 20 days after its publication in the official gazette.

In February 2013/EU, Appendix I (Explanatory Example of Packaging Definition under Article 3 (1) of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive) of 94/62/EC was revised, and the revised Example Guidelines (i), (ii), and (iii) of Appendix I added 19, 4, and 2 explanatory examples, respectively. These illustrative examples clarify the boundary between packaging and non packaging. Although the EU packaging directive has undergone multiple revisions, the requirements for the management of harmful substances in packaging materials have not changed.

Control scope:

The directive covers all packaging and packaging waste in the EU domestic market, whether from industrial, commercial, office, shop, service, general household or other sources, and regardless of the material used.

The test objects include:

Product packaging paper boxes, cardboard boxes, wooden frames, film boxes, plastic bags, bubble bags, foam, polystyrene, fixing tools, thin sheets, ropes, coatings, ink, tape, glue, cable ties, labels, instructions.

Controlled substances and limits:

Lead (Pb)+Cadmium (Cd)+Mercury (Hg)+Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) ＜ 100ppm

US Packaging Regulations TPCH (CONEG)

CONEG is a local regulation established in 1989 by the Northeastern Conference of State Chiefs (8 states) in the United States to reduce heavy metal content in packaging and packaging materials. With the establishment of TPCH in 1992, CONEG was also renamed TPCH. However, the TPCH testing method and requirements remain the same as CONEG, and the requirements for controlling products and toxic and harmful substances are basically consistent with those of the European Union.

Definition of Packaging Materials and Products Testing

Packaging material and product testing refers to the process of conducting certain or various special tests on the protective quality and methods of materials and products used for manufacturing packaging containers, packaging decoration, packaging printing, packaging transportation, etc. that meet the requirements of product packaging.