Labelling requirements for packaging

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International information on labelling requirements for packaging is part of our service as professional consultants along the entire value chain of the global circular economy.

EU Packaging Directive determines uniform labelling

The EU Packaging Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste defines rules on the management of packaging and packaging waste in the EU. These rules are intended to harmonize national measures for the disposal of packaging and packaging waste in order to reduce the negative impact of packaging waste on the environment. Among others, these provisions include a uniform marking and identification for the classification of the material or materials processed in a packaging. This classification in accordance with Article 8 of the EU Packaging Directive(94/62/EC) is intended to facilitate the collection and recycling of packaging on an international level.

Transposition of labelling requirements for packaging into national law

The EU-wide requirements laid down in Decision 97/129/EC must be transposed into the national law of a country. Hence, the implementation of the labelling requirements varies from country to country, which is why it is a complicated procedure for manufacturers and distributors of packaging to keep track at all times.

The Green Dot symbol for example, is still perceived by a broad mass as a mandatory marking of packaging due to its popularity in the field of packaging labels. In fact, however, the labelling by the Green Dot symbol within the EU is only mandatory in Spain, since Cyprus considers the use of this symbol as a voluntary labelling in the course of an amendment to the law.

Ongoing advice on current labelling requirements per country

Our consulting team therefore keeps our customers always informed about current legal changes in order to adapt their packaging according to the respective country requirements, to behave in accordance with the law and thus to avoid sanctions. As part of our circulate offer, we prepare detailed reports on the labelling requirements of the desired country and also support our customers in trend talks or workshops in the implementation of these obligations.