Standards Development

Scope

This document defines requirements for the evaluation process for the part of the packaging unit which comprises the main body and the integrated components and is predominantly made of paper and cardboard and for separate components predominantly made of paper and cardboard with respect to compatibility of the design with state-of-the-art recycling processes.

Definitions and general principles of the process and design criteria to evaluate the recyclability of packaging are covered in CEN/TS YYYY-1.

Related specific processes and design criteria are covered in CEN/TS XXXX-1.

Purpose

Purpose

 This document establishes requirements for the evaluation process of paper and cardboard packaging with respect to its compatibility with state-of-the-art recycling processes. It defines clear criteria for assessing the recyclability of the main body and integrated components predominantly made of paper and cardboard, as well as separate paper and cardboard components, supporting sustainable packaging design and the circular economy.

Justification

1. Regulatory Background and EU Objectives Packaging in Europe is regulated by Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste, which sets key principles for waste reduction and recycling. Despite its success, packaging waste continues to rise. To address this, the EU has introduced the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to ensure full recyclability of all packaging by 2030. Article 6, paragraph 4 of the PPWR mandates the development of design-for-recycling criteria and recyclability performance grades by 2028, considering:

• The ability of packaging waste to be effectively sorted and recycled into high-quality secondary raw materials.

• The impact of substances of concern on recyclability and potential restrictions on such substances.

• Established collection and sorting processes and available recycling technologies.

 • The environmental and economic performance of recycling technologies, including energy use and emissions. Recyclability performance assessments will categorize packaging into grades (A, B, C, or "not recyclable") based on compliance with defined criteria.

 2. Standardization to Support PPWR

This document supports the European Commission in developing delegated acts by establishing:

• Requirements for the evaluation process of paper and cardboard packaging recyclability.

 • Criteria for compatibility with state-of-the-art recycling processes.

 • Alignment with general and specific recyclability assessment standards.

 3. Scope of Paper and cardboard Packaging Evaluation

This document applies to:

• Packaging units where the main body and integrated components are predominantly made of paper and cardboard.

 • Separate components that are also predominantly made of paper and cardboard.

 4. Enhancing Recycling Efficiency The evaluation criteria defined in this document assess:

 • Material composition and its impact on recyclability.

• Compatibility with existing recycling infrastructures. • End-of-life processing efficiency to maximize material recovery. This document complements CEN/TS XXXX-1, which defines specific processes and design criteria for paper and cardboard packaging recyclability, and CEN/TS YYYY-1, which provides general process and design criteria for packaging recyclability assessment.

 5. Alignment with Existing Standards and Guidelines

This document takes into account:

• Existing material-specific recycling guidelines.

• Relevant Standards and Technical Specifications, such as EN 18120, developed under Mandate M/584 as part of the Circular Plastics Alliance project.

• CEN/TS 13688, which addresses substances that hinder recycling.

 • EN 13430, which sets requirements for packaging recoverable by material recycling.