New EU packaging rules called ‘an absolute monster’

Implementation of the European Union’s new Packaging and Packing Waste Regulation will begin this week, according to mbl.is. The rules will apply to Iceland’s domestic market under the European Economic Area Agreement before long, and are expected to significantly affect Icelandic companies exporting to the EU and sellers sending goods to EU customers.

The regulation is broad and complex, remains under development and will take effect in stages over the next 15 years. Benedikt S. Benediktsson, director of SVÞ, the Association of Trade and Services, said many aspects of the rules were concerning and appeared to have been designed for markets other than Iceland.

He also warned that some provisions could ultimately produce negative environmental effects rather than positive ones.

Separate registration in each country

The EU has long had rules aimed at reducing packaging waste and protecting consumers from harmful substances in packaging. The new regulation goes considerably further, Benedikt said.

At its core, the regulation aims to reduce the amount of packaging used in European countries and make packaging easier to recycle and, where appropriate, reuse. It does so by imposing more obligations on manufacturers, sellers and those handling waste.

Benedikt said the regulation included positive measures, including rules intended to reduce the use of different materials in packaging. Combining materials such as plastic and paper, or using two different types of plastic in the same package, makes recycling considerably more complicated.

However, he said other requirements would be burdensome and costly. The rules will apply to all Icelandic exports to the EU.

“The manufacturer needs to be registered in the system of each country of export and obtain confirmation that the packaging used for each product meets the requirements of the European regulation,” Benedikt said. “It makes no difference whether a whole container is being exported or a single package is sent by post. The registration must be in place, and it has to be done separately for every country within the EU.”

The rules also cover the design of packaging, including how much “air” it may contain. Benedikt said replacing packaging was always costly for manufacturers and that the new regulation could require changes to packaging in some cases.