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.
More Design for recycling
Guide supports producers in making informed design choices för plastic packaging
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) affects the entire packaging industry. When it comes to recyclable packaging, there is a lot that producers and manufacturers must take into account, before 2030. Even though the legislation is not yet fully finalised, the transition must begin now. Näringslivets Producentansvar, together with six other producer responsibility organisations in Europe, is therefore launching a joint guide to safe design choices for plastic packaging, supporting producers in their packaging design decisions.
How recyclability, criteria and reporting are interconnected
Our advisory approach to design for recycling is based on how recyclable a packaging material is, regardless of the material type. We do not advocate one material over another. As a producer, you can assess the recyclability of a packaging material using our clear criteria and design guidelines. The aim is to contribute to increased material recycling of packaging, resulting in more circular material flows and reduced need for virgin raw materials.
NPA participates in standardization work for packaging
As additional requirements and regulations for packaging and producers are introduced within the framework of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation within the EU (PPWR), it is important for NPA to be involved in the development of upcoming standards for recycling packaging.