[SV] What the new EU packaging directives mean for you

As sustainability and environmental responsibility become more and more important in EU legislation, new demands are being placed on the packaging industry. From 2025, new EU packaging requirements will come into force and will change the rules of the game for businesses across Europe. The aim is to reduce waste, increase recycling and ensure that we all participate in the transition to a circular economy. For businesses, this means it’s time to prepare – but what do the new requirements mean for you and how can businesses best adapt?

The new EU packaging requirements focus on minimising the environmental impact of packaging through several initiatives:

Increased use of recyclable materials:

Packaging should be increasingly made from materials that can be reused or recycled.
This means, for example, that companies should avoid hard-to-degrade materials
and choose recyclable alternatives instead

Reduction of packaging waste:

The aim is to reduce the amount of packaging waste, both to protect the environment and to save resources.
This can be done by reducing unnecessary packaging or designing packaging more efficiently

Designing for the circular economy:

Packaging products should be designed to fit into a circular economy where resources are kept
in circulation for as long as possible. This means that packaging should be repairable, reusable
or recycled instead of simply becoming waste

Why are the new requirements important?

The new requirements reflect the EU’s vision of a more sustainable society and economy based on recycling rather than waste generation. For businesses, the new rules can also be an opportunity to create value, both by reducing costs through efficient packaging design and by strengthening the brand’s image as responsible. There are also growing expectations from consumers. More and more people want to buy products from companies that take climate and environment seriously. By adapting to the new requirements, companies can meet these consumer demands and future-proof their business model.

How can businesses prepare?

Review and evaluate packaging materials:

The first step is to look at existing packaging and consider whether it meets the new requirements. Are the materials easy to recycle? Are there any unnecessary elements that can be removed without harming the product?

Work with innovative suppliers like RAJA:

Suppliers can be an important partner in finding more recycled materials and developing innovative solutions. RAJA has experience in alternatives and can help find the best solutions for your business.

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Implementing recycling solutions:

Consider whether there are ways that your packaging can be reused by customers. For example, this could be through a deposit or return programme where customers return the packaging so that it can be used again.

Uevelop a strategy for circular design:

It's about thinking about the whole life cycle of packaging. Can the packaging be easily disassembled, so that different materials can be recycled separately? Are there ways to optimise the design, to minimise material consumption without compromising product protection?

Prepare your communication:

Consumers are increasingly interested in the environmental impact of products and packaging. Make it easy for them to understand how your packaging fulfils the new requirements and what sustainable choices you have made. Transparent and honest communication can strengthen your position in the market.

The benefits of being proactive

For companies that are early adopters of the new requirements, there are clear benefits. Taking the initiative now can reduce the risks and potential costs later when the requirements come into force. In addition, a proactive approach can give you a head start in marketing yourself as a pioneer in sustainable packaging – a clear competitive advantage at a time when the EU is imposing these requirements.

Concluding thoughts

The new EU packaging requirements coming into force in 2025 may seem like a big challenge, but they are also a unique opportunity for companies to rethink packaging and contribute positively to new approaches in the packaging industry. By preparing well in advance, companies can not only ensure compliance, but also gain significant benefits and improve their sustainability reputation.

Preparing for the future now can prove to be an investment that helps both businesses and our planet in the long run.

Here are some great links and resources to help you, the reader, dive deeper into the topic of the new EU packaging requirements and sustainability:

EU Environment Portal – Here you can find official information on EU environmental policy, including the upcoming packaging requirements, sustainability initiatives and the circular economy: EU Environment – European Commission

The European Green Deal – The EU Green Deal sets the direction for a sustainable economy in Europe and includes concrete targets and strategies: The European Green Deal