Environmental labeling, from regulatory updates to practical aspects

Environmental labeling is a packaging classification procedure governed by EU and national standards.

Over the past few years, attention to the packaging of products placed on the market has increased considerably; on the one hand, legislators have placed emphasis on the
labeling
as a tool for providing consumers with accurate and detailed information.

On the other hand, the huge amount of multi-material packaging used for packing and handling all kinds of products requires the implementation of appropriate disposal procedures in order to cushion the environmental impact caused by the use of boxes, wrappers, bundles and the like.

This is where environmental labeling comes in; below, let’s look at what there is to know about it.

What is environmental labeling and what it is used for

L’environmental labeling, from a practical point of view, it represents a measure aimed at Incentivize the proper disposal of packaging waste of all types (from primary to final); to this end, producers have a duty to properly label wrappers, providing consumers with all the information they need to properly dispose of waste materials.

Despite this obligation, a study by GS1 Italy’s Immagino Observatory showed the Gap in the sector, with a meager 25.4 percent of food products in large retailers displaying the necessary information about package disposal on the label.

Specifically, the environmental label must first include a statement of compliance with the relevant European standards (EN 13432 or EN 14995), as well as the identification details of the manufacturer and the certifying body. Finally, the labeling should include any instructions addressed to the consumer to enable proper disposal of the packaging such as, for example, indicating the type of material or its composition.

Environmental labeling: regulatory updates

Article 6, paragraph 15, of the Decree-Law Dec. 31, 2020, no. 183 provided that “Until December 31, 2021, the application of Article 219, paragraph 5, first sentence, of Legislative Decree April 3, 2006, no. 152, as amended“.

Accordingly, as of January 1, 2022, the following obligation will come into effect: “all packaging must be properly labeled in accordance with the applicable UNI technical standards and in accordance with the determinations adopted by the Commission of the European Union, To facilitate the collection, reuse, recovery and recycling of packaging, as well as To give correct information to consumers about the final destinations of packaging“.

In contrast, another obligation, enshrined in the second part of the same subsection of LD, remains in force. n. 152/2006, namely, “producers are alsorequired to indicate, for the purpose of packaging identification and classification, the nature of the packaging materials used, based on Commission Decision 97/29/EC.”

Normative references also include the D. Lgs 116/2020, which incorporates the European Directive (EU) 2018/851; Article 1, paragraph 6-b states. packaging must be properly labeled and report “in addition to the mention of compliance with the aforementioned European standards, identifying elements of the producer and certifier as well as suitable instructions for consumers to deliver such waste to the separate collection circuit“.

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What is required to be indicated on packaging?

According to the provisions of the law, it is necessary to indicate:

• The nature of the packaging materials used, based on Decision 97/129/EC.
• All components manually separable from the packaging system:
• The alpha-numeric coding provided by Decision 97/129/EC.

In summary:

• On all packaging (primary, secondary and tertiary), manufacturers must indicate the alpha-numeric coding required by Decision 97/129/EC;
• All packaging must be labeled in the form and manner that the company deems most suitable and effectivefor achieving the objective;
• Appropriate wording should also be present on consumer packaging to support its separate collection;
• For plastic packaging made from polymers or combinations thereof not specifically provided for in Decision 97/129/EC, reference can be made to UNI 1043-1for the identification of non-covered plastics, and UNI 10667-1 for identifying and recognizing polymers from recycling. (http://www.progettarericiclo.com/)

normative references