EUROPEN

Europe Packaging Industry Trade Organization, Environment, Packaging Chain, Waste Disposal

The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (EUROPEN) is an industry and trade organization open to any company with an economic interest in packaging and packaged products. It presents the opinion of its members on issues related to packaging and the environment.

Successful packaging policies will be those which are environmentally, economically and scientifically sound, as well as socially and politically acceptable. Members of EUROPEN are identified as companies which support a united industry and trade organization, dedicated to satisfactorily resolving the environmental challenges facing the packaging chain in an active and co-operative manner without favouring any specific packaging material or system.

EUROPEN is the only pan-European organization dedicated exclusively to issues concerning packaging and the environment with membership open to all partners in the packaging chain:

• producers of any packaging material
• packaging manufacturers
• users of packaging (regardless of product and method of sales and distribution)
• companies engaged in the distributive and retail trade
• companies engaged in the recovery of packaging materials and waste disposal operations
• national organizations with similar objectives to EUROPEN

Participation of companies from each of these packaging chain sectors guarantees fair and practicable results. As an important aspect of serving the interests and meeting the needs of its corporate and national members, EUROPEN maintains contact, shares information and promotes its views with outside audiences. These include:

• Sectoral industry and trade organizations with an interest in packaging and environmental issues
• Pan-European legislative and administrative bodies and (through the appropriate national associations) national and local governments
• The public at large, via media contacts, leaders of industry, consumer groups, environmentalists and other key opinion formers
• The scientific and academic community

EUROPEN is dedicated to taking a leading role in promoting better understanding of packaging and its benefits. Other industry and trade organizations representing individual sectors of the packaging chain are also actively involved in the packaging and environment debate. EUROPEN maintains direct liaison with such organizations and co-ordinates its activities with them to avoid duplication or to act in a supporting role as appropriate.

EU Packaging Directives, European Packaging Law, Packaging Waste Management

EUROPEN works for the achievement of non-conflicting national packaging measures based on:

• full understanding of the issues
• close co-operation between all sectors of the packaging chain
• avoiding barriers to trade
• in order to meet in the short-term justifiable goals for packaging waste management in each country as quickly as possible in the interests of the environment, consumers and the packaging chain alike. EUROPEN ultimately supports adoption of integrated waste management approaches which will deliver real environmental improvements at lowest cost under local conditions.

EUROPEN members believe that the environmental challenges facing the packaging chain will only be satisfactorily resolved by action which:

• is led by members of the packaging chain united in their positions and objectives does not discriminate against specific packaging materials or systems
• is proactive and co-operative, not reactive and confrontational
• involves governments, legislators, environmental interest groups and consumer representatives

Membership of EUROPEN provides companies with advance information on all packaging and environment developments with financial consequences and detailed status reports on packaging laws and regulations covering:

• EU Packaging Directives
• National legislation in over 25 European countries
• Packaging taxes and levies
• National systems for packaging waste recovery and recycling
• Essential information for corporate strategic planning
• A pan-European perspective of current issues and industry responses
• A voice in shaping industry initiatives, positions and responses in EU packaging law
• Participation in members forums covering topical issues
• Valuable networking opportunities between executives concerned with environmental affairs and with customers and suppliers
• An opportunity to support EUROPEN`s activity to promote a balanced view of the use, benefits and environmental aspects of all types of packaging

EUROPEN is controlled by the Council of Members which elects an Executive Committee which in turn appoints a managing director. Working groups, drawn both from members and outside resources as necessary, are established to deal with specific subjects.

The Council, comprising all members, meets three times per year and adopts an annual activity plan. The Executive Committee and work groups meet as often as required. EUROPEN finances its activity from membership fees set annually by the Council of Members for the following year`s budget.

EUROPEN is a non-profit association registered in Belgium with headquarters in Brussels. EUROPEN`s statutes specifically prohibit it from engaging in any activity which would render it or any of its members in breach of any competition laws in force in the European Union or under any national laws of any of the members. A copy of the statutes is available on request.

EUROPEN membership is open to any company with an economic interest in packaging or packaged goods. Special low fees are available for small to medium size enterprises (SMEs). National industry groups with similar objectives to EUROPEN may also join as associate members. (Membership is not open to individuals.)

For information about membership, please contact the EUROPEN Managing Director Julian Carroll.

EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC), (2004/12/EC), Packaging Standards (CEN TC261)

The aim of achieving a single market for packaged products in the European Union and for the free movement of goods in a global marketplace is frequently threatened by packaging regulations which restrict or prevent market access.

EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC)

The issue for industry and trade is to ensure that any measures adopted will properly meet both the environmental and economic needs of all stakeholders. Following adoption of the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC), many issues involving interpretation, implementation, monitoring results and compliance continuously arise. EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) `s recovery and recycling targets are now being reviewed.

The Directive called for follow up decisions to be taken by the European Commission and for additional legislation to be adopted by the European Council and European Parliament. Other EU directives are under consideration or promised by the European Commission.

In particular, the European Commission proposal to develop an Integrated Product Policy (IPP) for the environment is now under discussion. The IPP proposal holds serious consequences for packaging and packaged goods. EU plans for legislation are complemented and complicated by national regulations, giving rise to risks of mutual conflict. We identify many of the issues arising from packaging legislation and provide information and opinions about them.

• Thematic Strategies
• The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)
• The Review of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive: Recovery & Recycling Targets (2004/12/EC)
• Review of the Implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
• Integrated Product Policy
• The Rising Cost of Producer Responsibility and Mis-interpretation of the Meaning of this Term
• Economic Instruments in Packaging and Packaging Waste Policy
• Beverage Container Deposits
• Quotas for Refillable Packaging
• Product Specific Targets in Packaging Legislation
• Packaging Marking, Material Identification and Conformity Assessment Procedures
• Composite Packaging Material
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Use and Misuse in Public Policy Decisions on Packaging and Packaging Waste Management
• Workshop: Use of LCA in Policy Making in the Context of Directive 94/62/EC - Brussels 20 June 2002
• Packaging Standards (CEN TC261)
• Waste Management Hierarchy
• Prevention
• Central and Eastern Europe

EUROPEN Packaging Guiding Principles (7/13/99)

EUROPEN is established and supported by industry to promote the benefits of packaging and the adoption of ecologically and economically sensible national and European environmental legislation, policies and best practices concerning the environmental impact of packaging.

EUROPEN Packaging Guiding Principles (7/13/99)

• Good packaging benefits society provided sound policies are adopted and used packaging is valorised using a flexible choice of methods with the responsibility being shared.
• Appropriate packaging helps prevent or reduce product waste and facilitates centralised processing and distribution of products. Proper packaging assures the availability, in appropriate quantity, of safe, hygienic and undamaged goods for all sectors of society in order to maintain accepted living standards. Correct design and use of packaging also contributes to the reduction of pollution arising from the transportation of goods.
• Packaging choices and policies need to be guided by results from systematic scientific studies like life cycle analysis. Such methods however must be treated as a tool to be carefully used and with results responsibly interpreted. It must also be made clear that consumers ultimately pay the cost of environmental change.
• Used packaging is a valuable resources which should not be mis-managed.

Valorisation

• EUROPEN strives to promote adoption of the best available policies and practices in order to achieve the valorization of used packaging.
• Differences in local conditions will require various combinations of valorisation methods to achieve best results. The choice of methods and the establishment of valorisation targets must be based on practical experience and scientific knowledge.
• Responsibility for the valorization of used packaging falls on consumers, local and national government and all members of the packaging chain. Valid solutions therefore need to include all these parties working in unison to develop interlocking systems for the collection and valorization of used packaging. Such systems will in turn be integrated with other waste stream management systems as they develop.

EUROPEN Publications, EU Packaging Law, CEN Packaging Standards, Life Cycle Assessment, LCA

EUROPEN aims to achieve a fully accessible European market for packaging used for packaged products, whereby best use is made of the role, benefits and functions of packaging in society, such as protection of products and the environment and supplying information to and meeting the needs of consumers and customers.

To strive to influence European environmental legislation covering the marketing, sourcing, manufacture and distribution of packaging used for packaged products and the management of used packaging. To support legislation that is transparent, effective and in proportion to the impacts of packaging and packaging waste and thus allows our members maximum scope to innovate, compete and operate in a resource efficient way. To encourage our members to take their share of responsibility in minimizing the environmental impacts of packaging and packaging waste and be committed to contribute to supply chain resource-efficiency as a crucial part of sustainable development. To stimulate stakeholder dialogue and implement a communication and lobby programme in support of these aims to serve our members and ensure recognition of their interests.

EUROPEN Publications include:

European and National Legislation on Packaging and the Environment – Revised edition
96 pages, March 2004, Euro 100

Compliance with Essential Requirements - EUROPEN Survey, December 2003

The Draft Revisions to the CEN Packaging Standards: Implications for Standards Users

Compliance with EU Packaging Law A Practical Guide for Industry and Trade -- How to Assess Compliance of Packaging with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)

Indispensable for Every Packaging Chain Company, Revised edition January 2003 now available free of charge.

Assessment Record Forms contained in the above publication in MS Word Format

Understanding the CEN Standards on Packaging and the Environment: Some Questions and Answers – December 2001

Life Cycle Assessment: Guidance for packaging chain companies

Use of Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) as a Policy Tool in the Field of Sustainable Packaging Waste Management - A Discussion Paper

Packaging! (Brochure on the Benefits of Packaging) , 8 Pages, Summer 1996, free of charge.
(Also available in French (L`Emballage!)

Facts About Single Use and Reusable Packaging – The Netherlands Experience – EUROPEN Seminar Proceedings, 90 pages, May 1995, Euro 20

Managing the Rising Cost of ``Producer Responsibility`` for Packaged Products - EUROPEN Seminar Proceedings, 130 pages, December 1996, Euro 38

Reuse Quotas and Product Specific Targets for Packaging, August 1997

Optimal Waste Management Calls for Flexible Choice of Recovery Options, November 1997

Producer Responsibility Defined - A Briefing Paper, December 1998

CEN Packaging Standards, EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)

CEN Packaging Standards

EUROPEN, the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment, on 22 February, 2005, welcomed EU publication of references to six CEN Packaging Standards as the final step of a more than 10-year-long process since adoption of the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) in 1994. The references appeared in the Official Journal of the European Union on 19 February, 2005.

For packaging producers and packaged goods industries, this step has eliminated lingering legal uncertainty over whether or not packaging entering the EU market is in conformity with the Essential Requirements laid out in the Directive. Since January 1998 only packaging which complies with all Essential Requirements defined in the Directive could legally be placed into the EU market. Under the ``New Approach``, EU institutions agreed that technical harmonization issues such as compliance with the Essential Requirements would be progressed by delegating the responsibility of drawing up standards for this purpose to CEN. CEN completed its work in 2004 but recognition by the European Union was the final step necessary to confirm their status as EU harmonised standards.

The six standards were developed in response to a 2001 European Commission mandate to revise earlier standards prepared by CEN which were not completely accepted by the Commission. The new standards cover requirements specific to the manufacturing and composition of packaging, the reuse of packaging and the recovery methods of recycling, energy recovery and composting. The sixth standard, described as ``the umbrella standard``, explains the management systems approach to be used in the application of the other five.

The management systems approach adopted in the standards provides industry with a flexible method of demonstrating conformity but presents some challenges for regulatory authorities in interpreting them. EUROPEN foresees one task of industry as installing effective and transparent systems for demonstrating compliance which are sufficiently rigorous to satisfy member state regulators. While much work has been done in the development of such systems, notably in the Czech Republic, France, Sweden and UK, EUROPEN believes more work remains.

To help this process from industry`s side, EUROPEN published its benchmark guide to use of the standards in 1999. This is now under revision to take account of the recent changes. Alongside the EUROPEN guide other national and regional initiatives for guidance exist such as the innovative ``Optipak`` development from the Nordic countries and guidance notes published by authorities in France and the UK.

EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)

On 28 January, 2005, EUROPEN published comments on the progress of two studies on the implementation of the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) . The studies, initiated by the European Commission, are for a report it must submit by mid-year to the European Parliament and European Council. One study, by consultancies Ecolas and Pira is considering the environmental aspects, and the other, by consultancies Perchards, FFact Management and SAGIS, is assessing the impact of the Directive on the internal market.

EUROPEN, which represents companies at all stages of the packaging chain, is especially supportive of two key points that have emerged from the studies which we believe should not be ignored by policymakers: the need to ensure that all member states enforce the Essential Requirements of the Directive, and the need to avoid being sidetracked from more important environmental issues by the long-running debate over the merits of reusable versus recyclable packaging.

The Ecolas/Pira study shows that France and the UK are the only two EU member states within the EU 15 to have made significant progress in enforcing the Essential Requirements, which as of January 1998 include a requirement that packaging weight and volume is limited to the minimum amount necessary. EUROPEN considers there should be no consideration of any additional prevention measures until member states have taken steps to address this lack of enforcement.

``We believe that if this took place, additional prevention measures which have been proposed, such as a packaging environment indicator (PEI) , would be unnecessary,`` said Julian Carroll, EUROPEN`s Managing Director. Both studies also emphasise the fact that there is very little difference between the environmental impact of reusable packaging and recyclable packaging. Over a long period of time, successive studies commissioned by both government and industry have continuously demonstrated this fact.

The introduction and maintenance of mandatory measures to promote reuse systems, despite the lack of environmental justification, has created many situations leading to trade barriers, as evidenced by the recent findings of the European Court of Justice in the case against Germany concerning its beverage packaging regulations.