Packaging Materials Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Product packaging materials in the EU must comply with a range of product regulations. This includes chemical and heavy metals restrictions, recycling requirements, labelling, and lab testing.

In this guide, we take a look at Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), REACH, Food Packaging Regulations, and more.

Packaging labelling

Packaging labelling requirements mainly depend on the product, rather than the packaging material. Various packaging labels, including CE marking and WEEE marking, are covered in this guide.

Food packaging

Additional regulations apply to food and beverage packaging.

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Jewellery Regulations in the European Union: A Complete Guide

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Are you planning to import or manufacture jewellery in the European Union? In this guide, we cover what jewellery importers and manufacturers must know about the REACH regulation, labelling requirements, standards, packaging regulations, jewellery lab testing and more.
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EU Declaration of Compliance (DoC) for Food Contact Materials Guide

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Issuing a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) is mandatory when importing and manufacturing certain food contact materials in the European Union. Notice that this also includes consumer products such as drinking bottles, cutlery, and individual components.

In this guide, we explain how you can determine if your specific food contact material or product requires a Declaration of Compliance, and what you must know before creating one.

Covered Regulations

  • Plastic Materials Regulation ((EU) 10/2011)
  • Use of Bisphenol A in Varnishes and Coatings Regulation ((EU) 2018/213)
  • Active and Intelligent Materials Regulation ((EC) No 450/2009)
  • Recycled Plastic FCM Regulation ((EC) No 282/2008)
  • Ceramics Directive (84/500/EEC)
  • Regenerated Cellulose Film Directive (2007/42/EC)
  • Epoxy Derivatives Restriction Regulation ((EC) 1895/2005)
  • FCM from China or Hong Kong Regulation ((EU) No 284/2011)

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Packaging Materials Regulations in the United Kingdom: A Summary

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Packaging Materials Regulations in the United Kingdom

Product packaging materials are subject to various regulations and standards in the United Kingdom, applicable both to packaging materials as a category – and product packaging for consumer products. As such, packaging materials regulations are relevant to importers, manufacturers, distributors, and other businesses trading physical products.

In this guide, we cover The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations, UK REACH, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and other compliance requirements for packaging materials..

Note that this article does not cover packaging material regulations in Northern Ireland.

What is a packaging material?

A packaging material refers to most materials used to hold, protect, handle, deliver, and in the presentation of goods, and includes packaging for raw materials right through to finished goods to be sold or being sold.

Examples of packaging material include:

  • Paperboard boxes
  • Aluminum
  • Foam
  • Flexible plastic packaging
  • Cardboard/Fiberboard

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ProductIP Compliance Services Guide: An Overview

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ProductIP Compliance Services Guide

ProductIP is a company that offers an online system that helps importers and manufacturers to create, manage and share their technical compliance files – mainly for the EU market (even if some services might also be relevant for the UK market).

The company, which is known for being a pioneer in product compliance solutions, also provides additional compliance services – often complementary to its platform. Further, it offers training workshops to help importers and manufacturers better understand how they can demonstrate product compliance most effectively.

This guide provides an overview of ProductIP’s digital solutions, services, and workshops.
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United Kingdom Product Labelling Requirements: An Overview

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Are you importing or manufacturing goods for the UK market? If so, you will likely need to comply with certain product and packaging labelling requirements. Additionally, some categories of products require a mark of compliance (e.g. UKCA Mark) to be placed in the UK market.

In this article, we cover most of the common labels found in various products sold in the United Kingdom, including electronics, toys, and food contact products. This article does not apply to Northern Ireland as they follow EU rules.
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Furniture Regulations and Standards in the United Kingdom

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Furniture Regulations and Standards in the United Kingdom

Are you importing or manufacturing furniture products in the United Kingdom? Depending on the furniture, certain regulations may apply to your product and require you to have your product tested and labelled in a particular manner.

In this article, we cover relevant safety regulations and standards affecting various furniture products placed in the UK, such as the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations or the Timber and Timber Products Placing on the Market Regulations. This article does not apply to Northern Ireland as they follow EU rules.

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CE Marking Requirements in the United Kingdom: An Overview

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CE Marking Requirements in the United Kingdom

Not sure whether importers and manufacturers require the CE mark for their products in the United Kingdom? In this article, we explore the relevance of the CE mark in the UK post-Brexit, its differences from the UKCA mark, and the CE marking requirements.
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UK REACH for Importers and Manufacturers: An Essential Guide

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UK REACH Guide

Do you intend to manufacture or sell products in the UK? If so, REACH compliance is likely required. In practice, REACH requires that your products don’t contain restricted chemicals, heavy metals, and other substances above the set limits. Examples include lead, cadmium, and various phthalates.

In this guide, we list some product categories covered by the UK REACH regulation in the United Kingdom and provide information on the differences between the pre-Brexit and post-Brexit REACH limits.

Note that this article does not apply to Northern Ireland as Northern Ireland still follows EU REACH.

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Toy Regulations and Standards in the UK: An Essential Guide

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Toy Regulations in the UK

Are you an importer or manufacturer interested in placing toy products in the UK market? In this guide, we explain what UK-based importers and manufacturers must know about toy regulations, safety standards, lab testing, documentation, and labeling requirements.

We also cover CE marking and the more recent UKCA marking requirements applicable to toys.

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