EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations. Clearly unclear.

The European automotive industry has always made significant efforts to move to more sustainable packaging solutions but with even more stringent requirements on materials and recyclability soon to be introduced by PPWR, the Odette Packaging Experts Group has brought together actors from all parts of the packaging supply chain to collaborate at European level to face up to the challenge.

Current focus is on the development of an Odette Sustainable Packaging Guideline which will serve as a guide to develop environmentally friendly packaging solutions and help the industry prepare for the forthcoming legal requirements. Taking a lead from national automotive sustainable packaging guidelines, views from the entire supply chain, from packaging manufacturers to part suppliers and vehicle manufacturers to recyclers are being examined to create a common understanding of the requirements.

The guideline will describe ways to use materials more efficiently, reduce waste and promote recycling to minimize the environmental impact of packaging to further establish and promote the circular economy. The Odette Sustainable Packaging Guideline will be available in the early part of 2025.

In the meantime, work continues to decipher the latest draft legislation in order to identify the materials to be used, the partners involved, the data required, the targets to be achieved and any new marking and/or labelling requirements. The objective is to produce a digest of the regulations to assist the entire industry.

This work also assists in the preparation for lobbying at an EU Stakeholder Meeting, which we hope will take place before the end of this year. We continue to gather questions and comments from automotive packaging experts for discussion with the EU representatives.

Facing up to the Packaging Sustainability and Regulatory Challenge will be on the agenda at Odette2025 Conference in May in Bratislava.