Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) is a single market measure, with environmental goals. The Directive applies to all packaging placed on the market within the EU, and all packaging waste - whether disposed of at industrial or commercial sites, or from private homes.
Overview
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) requires:
- packaging to be minimised
- packaging be designed for recovery and re-use.
- recovery targets to be met by the UK for waste packaging.
- heavy metals in packaging to be restricted
Responsibility for packaging is split between two government departments:
- BIS leads on EU Directive single market and UK Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations. These are enforced by Trading Standards: Trading Standards
- Defra leads on broader UK waste and packaging policy and the UK Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations.
Latest developments
Am I affected ?
The Packaging Essential Requirements Regulations require by law that the person responsible for packaging or filling products into packaging or importing packed or filled packaging into the United Kingdom, may only place that packaging on the market if it fulfils the Essential Requirements and is within the heavy metal concentration limits. UK guidance for business on the Regulations can be found on the Business Link website:
Business Link
Consumer information
For advice and information on packaging reduction, disposing of waste packaging and how to report excess packaging to Trading Standards, see Direct Gov. Direct Gov
Contact
BIS
Eco-design & Product Regulation Unit
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Tel. + 44 (0)20 7215 5000
Fax. + 44 (0)20 7215 2635
Email: env.regs@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Defra
Producer Responsibility Unit,
Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Ergon House, Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2AL
Tel. +44 (0)20 7238 6000
Fax. +44 (0)20 7238 4857
Email: packaging@defra.gsi.gov.uk
