The new EU packaging directive 2013/2/EU introduces that the latest EU packaging directive has been officially released, aiming to reduce the amount of packaging waste and its impact on the environment. This directive will have an impact on all businesses and consumers within the EU, so we need to understand its specific content and impact.

Old Directive 94/62/EC

As early as 1994, EU member states had issued the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC, 2004/12/EC), which aimed to ensure that packaging was suitable for collection, reuse, and recycling, and to promote energy recovery; Try to minimize the toxicity, danger, and environmental impact of packaging materials; Minimize the weight and volume of packaging waste.

New Directive 2013/2/EU

On February 7, 2013, the European Union issued Directive 2013/2/EU in the official gazette to amend Appendix I of the 94/62/EC Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. This directive shall take effect 20 days after its publication in the official gazette.

In February 2013/EU, Annex I of 94/62/EC (Explanatory Example of Packaging Definition in Article 3 (1) of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive) was revised, and the revised example guidelines (i), (ii), and (iii) in Annex I added 19, 4, and 2 explanatory examples, respectively. These illustrative examples clarify the boundary between packaging and non packaging. Although the EU packaging directive has undergone multiple revisions, the management requirements for harmful substances in packaging materials have not changed.


Control scope:

The directive covers all packaging and packaging waste in the EU domestic market, whether from industrial, commercial, workplace, store, service, general household or other sources, and regardless of the material used.


The test objects include:

Product packaging carton, carton, wood frame, film box, plastic bag, bubble bag, foam, Poly Long, fixing appliance, sheet, rope, paint, ink, tape, glue, Cable tie, label, instructions.

Controlled substances and limits:

Lead (Pb)+cadmium (Cd)+mercury (Hg)+Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI)<100ppm

US Packaging Regulations TPCH (CONEG)

CONEG is a local regulation established in 1989 by the United States Northeast State Chiefs Association (8 states) to reduce heavy metal content in packaging and packaging materials. With the establishment of TPCH in 1992, CONEG was also renamed TPCH. However, the TPCH testing method and requirements remain the same as CONEG, and the requirements for controlling products and toxic and harmful substances are basically consistent with those of the European Union.