Changes in the reporting of single-use plastics
This week, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency sent out information about new reporting requirements to producers who have previously reported single-use plastic products. The changes affect the reporting of packaging volumes from 2023 and means that companies that provide single-use plastic packaging on the market in Sweden will have to report more information to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
Exemptions are removed for certain plastic composite packaging
An exception to reporting per packaging material previously existed for composite packaging containing a material that makes up less than 5% of the total mass of the packaging. This exception has now been removed for the following products:
- food containers that are single-use plastic products,
- cups that are single-use plastic products,
- single-use plastic lids for mugs,
- flexible wrappers,
- plastic bottles for beverages that hold less than 0.6 liters,
- beverage containers other than plastic bottles that hold less than 0.6 litres,
- thin plastic carrier bags
- thick plastic carrier bags
These packaging must always be calculated and reported separately, even if a material makes up less than 5% of the total mass of the packaging. Examples are paper or cardboard-based single-use products that have a plastic lining or a plastic coating.
More information must be provided
The number of food containers, cups and lids for cups that are single-use plastic products must be divided into
- packaging consisting solely of plastic, and
- packaging that partly consists of plastic.
Changes for PET bottles starting from 2024
Companies that provide PET bottles on the market in Sweden must also start collecting other data from January 1st, 2024. This is needed to be able to tell how much recycled plastic has been used in the PET bottles.
The information for PET bottles must be submitted for the first time in 2025, but refers to products that have been supplied in 2024.
Why new reporting requirements?
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has decided on new regulations (NFS 2023:13) on the obligation to provide information on packaging and packaging waste. The regulations were drawn up to supplement the ordinance (2022:1274) on producer responsibility for packaging, as the ordinance does not specify in sufficient detail what information must be provided by the respective actor concerned. The information provided is used to produce statistics that are the basis for Sweden’s follow-up of national and EU common legislation. The requirements in the regulations enable the follow-up of binding EU common goals.
Click here to read more in the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance on reporting.
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