Packaging launch is an important element of business strategies for many companies. Entrepreneurs face challenges that require them not only to know the competition or the industry, but also to understand the legislation governing packaging. The market for packaged products is a series of complex processes that involve production, distribution and product management.
Placing packaging on the market - who is the packer?
What does it mean to introduce packaged products? This definition refers to any trader who introduces packaged products on the territory of a country, intended for consumers or end-users. The role entails a number of responsibilities, including ensuring that packaging complies with current legislation and responsibility for managing packaging waste. Among other things, a record of packaging introduced and a report of packaging placed on the market is needed.
Introducers of packaged products - examples include:
- food producers, who offer products in disposable or reusable packaging, including cans, jars or foil packaging, to ensure freshness and a longer shelf life.
- beverage producers, who use plastic bottles, glass bottles or cardboard boxes, taking care of the quality and durability of the transported product,
- pharmaceutical companies, which provide medicines in packaging that ensures safety, hygiene of use and compliance with strict storage standards,
- cosmetics manufacturers, who use specialised packaging to prolong the shelf life of products and preserve their properties,
- companies in the electronics industry, which offer equipment in packaging designed to protect delicate components, which is important to ensure safe transport and storage.
These are just examples of actors who, when placing packaged products on the market, must comply with certain legal and environmental requirements, both for the product itself and its packaging.
Regulations governing the placing of products on the European market
The introduction of packaging into the European market is a process that requires businesses to understand and comply with a range of regulations and standards. This market, characterised by high environmental and consumer safety standards, requires packaging to be not only functional and aesthetically appealing, but above all compliant with regulations to reduce packaging waste and promote recycling.
Obligations of the packaging product introducer into the European market are defined by strict regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC). This is a legal basis that sets out requirements for the design, production, and recycling of packaging. Businesses must ensure that their packaging is easily recyclable and that the materials used in its production do not endanger the environment.
A particular example is the introduction of packaging into the German market. This involves concepts such as VerpackG, for companies that are introducing products into the country for the first time, as well as LUICID registration, which is a public register with records of packaging placed on the market.
Obligations of the producer of packaged products
Packaging legislation, notably the aforementioned Directive 94/62/EC, sets out specific obligations. First and foremost, the entrepreneur introducing products into the territory of the country is obliged to ensure that packaging is designed and manufactured in such a way that it can be reused, recycled or otherwise recovered, minimising any negative impact on the environment. This includes limiting the use of harmful substances in the production of packaging and ensuring that all packaging is appropriately labelled to facilitate segregation and recycling. Obligations are also often associated with a fee for placing packaging on the market. Effective management of the packaging life cycle, from design to the disposal stage, is an important part of the responsibility of businesses to promote sustainability and protect the environment.
Who should pay product charges for packaging?
Who is affected by the product levy? The packaging levy is a type of financial charge that aims to promote sustainability and minimise the negative impact of economic activities on the environment. It applies to companies marketing products that may generate waste, including packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, vehicles and many others. Its main purpose is to motivate companies to design products in an environmentally friendly way, to promote recycling and to finance waste recovery and recycling schemes. This fee is often proportional to the volume and type of products placed on the market, and its exact rules and rates can vary from country to country and specific regulations. It also involves records of packaging and packaged products to be kept by the introducer.
The introduction of packaging, registration and the fulfilment of all legal obligations can be made easier thanks to the activities of EKOPRO Group.. We provide, inter alia environmental consulting.
