ONGOING CONFUSION “FOR 50” PACKAGING RULE IN ITALY - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CRATES (B2B AND B2C)
FEFPEB NEWSLETTER / ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR 50
The enforcement of the Legislative Decree no. 3 of September 2020 per 1 January 2023, explained in
Conai Progettare Riciclo (Environment Labeling for Packaging), leads to different interpretations and consequently market confusion.
The Italian rule is based upon the EC Decision 97/129/EC and links to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC about (initially voluntary) identification systems for packaging materials, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A31997D0129
Following the information in our December 2022 Newsletter this is to provide the following statement from the Italian Ministery of Environment:
Neutral packaging, with particular reference to transport packaging
In order to guarantee the correct environmental labeling also of finished and sold neutral packaging, without graphics or printing, (e.g. transparent bags, non-personalized wrapping) and packaging for transport or tertiary packaging (pallets and industrial packing), it is necessary to consider a possible alternative to the traditional labeling to be affixed to the packaging itself.
It should be noted regarding this type of packaging, that the obligation to identify the material of the packaging composition is considered fulfilled, where the manufacturer inserts this information on the transport documents accompanying the goods, or on other external supports, including digital.
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For pallets and industrial packaging, crates (food and vegetables) for B2B market no obligation to add a “FOR 50” mark on the pallet or industrial packaging, information on transport documents (even digital) is enough.
- For crates (food and vegetables) for B2C market it remains compulsory to put the “FOR 50” indication on the crate.
Note Assoimballaggi: In fact, wooden crates are mostly sold to fruit and vegetable markets and to large-scale retail trade, this is B2B.
This piece of Italian legislation does not lead to harmonisation of legislation in the EU, the aim of the draft Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is to avoid national ruling in this field and to strive for harmonisation.
To be continued.
