As we reported a few weeks ago, the EU Circular Economy Package II, published in November 2022, is set to have a considerable impact on how packaging is produced in the European Union.

• Businesses must clearly inform consumers about the recyclability, repairability and general environmental characteristics of their products. This could involve the use of recycling logos and QR codes that link to more detailed information. 
• National targets for packaging waste reduction and mandatory reuse targets for selected packaging groups. France, for example, aims to end all single-use plastic packaging by 2040.
• Packaging must be designed for recycling with increased use of recycled materials.
• Certain forms of unnecessary packaging will be banned, with maximum allowed empty space for eCommerce packaging.
• With regards to biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics, limits will be set on what can be claimed in order to foster clarity for consumers. Businesses will be obliged to specify how to dispose of compostable plastics, disclose the amount of biobased plastic content in a product, and provide a clear timeframe for biodegradable solutions. 

These new regulations are set to have a considerable impact on the industry, with packaging companies at the forefront of sustainable change and innovation. To find out more about the recyclability and technical performance of our solutions, get in touch with our team.