Design for recycling
Access to the new series of standards for plastic packaging
The new series of standards for the recycling of plastic packaging is now available, although practical application will not begin until 2030. Our materials specialists, Love Pallon and Einar Ahlström, have participated in the Swedish standardisation work within a SIS expert group.
We asked Love Pallon what the release of the standards means and what happens next.
What is the standards series?
It is a series of documents expected to form the basis for assessing the recyclability of plastic packaging under the PPWR, classifying it as Class A, B or C. However, this classification will only apply from 2030. Before then, the European Commission will publish how the transition from standards to recyclability assessment will be implemented.
The standards provide design criteria in the form of a traffic light system, indicating how plastic packaging should be designed to enable industrial sorting and recycling. They also specify which tests need to be carried out to ensure the recyclability of components that are not listed.
How can I access the standards series?
As a customer of NPA, you can access the standards via the customer portal or by contacting our Producer Service.
What happens now?
Following the publication of the standards, it will be up to the European Commission to decide how they will be used and linked to the forthcoming legislation under the PPWR. In January 2028, the EU is expected to adopt a delegated act (supplementary legislation to the PPWR) describing how the recyclability of packaging is to be assessed and classified according to the A, B and C grading scale. This classification will most likely be linked to the traffic light tables included in the standards for the respective packaging plastic.
In addition, the technical specifications for other packaging materials are expected to be published this summer, and our customers will also be granted access to these.
What does this mean for me as a producer?
The standards can provide indications of which material combinations are considered recyclable. However, it is still uncertain how exactly the Commission will apply the standards in the legal requirements, and what potential updates may take place before 2030. Nevertheless, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the standards already now. By reading them, you as a producer can prepare for the upcoming requirements.
Given how the standards are expected to be used in the delegated act, it is also appropriate to use them as a basis for setting clear requirements in dialogue with suppliers.
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