24 Amendments of Pablo ARIAS ECHEVERRÍA related to 2022/0396(COD)
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) An item, which is an integral part of a product and is necessary to contain, support or preserve that product throughout its lifetime and where all elements are intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together, should not be considered as being packaging given that its functionality is intrinsically linked to it being part of the product. However, in light of the disposal behaviour of consumers regardingefforts to establish appropriate recycling and composing streams, tea and coffee bags as well as coffee or tea system single-serve units, which in practice are disposed of together with the product residue leading to the contamination of compostable and recycling streams, those specific items should be treated as packaging. This is in line with the objective to increase the separate collection of bio-waste, as required by Article 22 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council41 . Furthermore, to ensure coherence regarding end-of-life financial and operational obligations, also all coffee or tea system single-serve units necessary to contain coffee or tea should be treated as packaging. __________________ 41 Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3).
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
Recital 40
(40) Packaging should be designed, where relevant for a given shape, so as to minimise its volume and weight while maintaining its ability to perform the packaging functions. The manufacturer of packaging should assess the packaging against the performance criteria, as listed in Annex IV of this Regulation. In view of the objective of this Regulation to reduce packaging and packaging waste generation and to improve circularity of packaging across the internal market, it is appropriate to further specify the existing criteria and to make them more stringent. The list of the packaging performance criteria, as listed in the existing harmonised standard EN 13428:200057 , should therefore be modified. While marketing and consumer acceptance remain relevant for packaging designpresentation, design and differentiation functionality, they should not be part ofthe main performance criteria justifying on their own additional packaging weight and volume. However, this should not compromise product or packaging specifications for craft and industrial products and food, beverages and agricultural products that are registered aund protected under the EU geographical indication protection schemeer or otherwise protected by the Union intellectual property law or EU geographical indication protection schemes, including third country geographical indication that have been given distinctive recognition by the Union, as part of the Union’s objective to protect Intellectual property rights, cultural heritage and traditional know-how. Traditional packaging associated with products that have been granted distinctive recognition or that are subject to geographical indication of origin protection shall, however, seek to reduce packaging weight to the smallest amount possible while protecting the shape of the packaging in accordance with the overall ambitions of this proposal. On the other hand, recyclability, the use of recycled content, and re-use may justify additional packaging weight or volume, and should be added to the performance criteria. Packaging with double walls, false bottoms and other characteristics only aimed to increase the perceived product volume should not be placed on the market, as it does not meet the requirement for packaging minimisation. The same rule should apply to superfluous packaging not necessary for ensuring packaging functionality. __________________ 57 Packaging – Requirements specific to manufacturing and composition – Prevention by source reduction.
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) In order to facilitate conformity assessment with requirements on packaging minimisation, it is necessary to provide presumption of conformity for packaging which is in conformity with harmonised standards adopted in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 for the purpose of expressing detailed technical specifications of those requirements and specify measurable design criteria, including where appropriate, maximum weight or empty space limits for specific packaging formats as well as by-default, standardised packaging designs that comply with the packaging minimisation requirement. Packaging design and minimisation should not compromise the requirements specified under EU rules on food contact materials and they should not affect the food safety of the products.
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 43
Recital 43
(43) To promote the circularity and sustainable use of packaging, reusable packaging and systems for re-use should be incentivised without prejudice to Article 4(2) of Directive 2008/98/EC and where re-use does not pose risks to the quality of food and/or compromises food safety of the products. For that purpose, it is necessary to clarify the notion of reusable packaging and to ensure that it is linked not only to the packaging design, which should enable a maximum number of trips or rotations and maintaining the safety, quality and hygiene requirements when being emptied, unloaded, refilled or reloaded, but also to the setting up of systems for re-use respecting minimum requirements as set out in this Regulation. In order to facilitate conformity assessment with requirements on reusable packaging, it is necessary to provide for presumption of conformity for packaging which is in conformity with harmonised standards adopted in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 for the purpose of expressing detailed technical specifications of those requirements and define reusable packaging criteria and formats, including minimum number of trips or rotations, standardised designs, as well as requirements for systems for re-use, including hygiene requirements. In light of the significant amount of water needed to implement a re-use system, especially for food and beverages and at industrial level, Member States should maintain a level of flexibility in adopting such provision. The Commission should produce a risk assessment of the implementation of reusable packaging vis-à-vis EU water management strategy and European water waste reduction targets.
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) It is necessary to inform consumers and to enable them to appropriately dispose of packaging waste, including compostable lightweight and very lightweight plastic carrier bags. The most appropriate manner to do this is to establish a harmonised labelling system based on the material composition of packaging for sorting of waste, and to pair it with corresponding labels on waste receptacles. To this end, the European Commission and Member States shall provide the necessary tools and incentives, including economic ones, with special attention to micro and small enterprises
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) In order to safeguard the functioning of the internal market, it is necessary to ensure that packaging from third countries entering the Union market comply with this Regulation, whether imported as self-standing packaging or in a packaged product. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that appropriate conformity assessment procedures have been carried out by manufacturers with regard to that packaging. Importers should therefore ensure that the packaging they place on the market comply with those requirements and that documentation drawn up by manufacturers are available for inspection by the competent national authorities. To comply with these obligations, adequate support should be provided to non-professional importers, especially to micro and SMEs.
Amendment 197 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65
Recital 65
(65) To incentivise waste prevention, a new concept of ‘refill’ should be introduced. Refill should be considered as a specific waste prevention measure that counts towards and is necessary for meeting of the re-use and refill targets. However, containers owned by the consumer, performing a packaging, kitchenware or tableware function in the context of refill, such as reusable cups, mugs, bottles or boxes are not packaging in the sense of this Regulation, even if they were originally marketed as food packaging.
Amendment 244 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 28
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 28
(28) ‘refill’ means an operation, considered as a packaging waste prevention measure, by which an end user fills its own container, which fulfils the packaging, kitchenware or tableware function, with a product or several products offered by the final distributor in the context of a commercial transaction;
Amendment 248 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 60 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 60 a (new)
(60a) ‘packaging performing a kitchenware or tableware function’ means packaging originally intended to be used as food packaging and certified to perform kitchenware or tableware functions during its life. Such certifications should demonstrate certain design features, such as being washable and heat resistant.
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6 – point d a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 6 – point d a (new)
(da) Specific provisions shall be approved for inert packaging placed on the market in very small quantities (i.e. around 0.1 % by weight) in the Union.
Amendment 338 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) it is capable of beingwhich can be emptied, unloaddischarged, refilled or reloaded, reloaded or reused as tableware or kitchenware, while ensuring compliance with the applicable safety and hygiene requirements;
Amendment 339 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) it is capable of being reconditioned in accordance with Part B of Annex VI, whilst maintaining its ability to perform its intended function; or, where originally designed for reuse as tableware or kitchenware, its economic advantage to consumers and their general perception of it are reflected in design features such as washability, repairability and durability, without any loss of product functionality.
Amendment 340 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) it can be emptied, unloaded, refilled or reloaded, reloaded or reused as tableware or kitchenware while maintaining the quality and safety of the packaged product and allowing for the attachment of labelling, and the provision of information on the properties of that product and on the packaging itself, including any relevant instructions and information for ensuring safety, adequate use, traceability and shelf- life of the product;
Amendment 341 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) it can be emptied, unloaded, refilled or reloaded, reloaded or reused as tableware or kitchenware without risk to the health and safety of those responsible for doing so;
Amendment 376 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. Where a unit ofplastic packaging covered by Article 7 is marked with a label containing information consumer relevant information on the share of recycled content, that label from post-consumer plastic waste, that label or a QR code or other type of digital data carrier shall comply with the specifications laid down in the relevant implementing act adopted pursuant to Article 11(5) and shall be based on the methodology pursuant to Article 7(7). Where a unit of plastic packaging is marked with a label containing information on the share of biobased plastic content, that label shall comply with the specifications laid down in the relevant implementing act adopted pursuant to Article 11(5).
Amendment 385 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Labels referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 and the QR code or other type of digital data carrier referred to in paragraph 2 shall be placed, printed or engraved visibly, clearly legibly and indelibly on the packaging. Where this is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature and size of the packaging, they shall be affixed to the grouped packaging information should be conveyed to consumers via digital means of communication as QR code or they shall be affixed to the grouped packaging. Information must be provided through the outer packaging, as defined in Article 1, Point (24), of Directive 2001/83/EC, for all immediate packaging, as defined in Article 1, Point (23), of Directive 2001/83/EC. From [Please insert the date = 24 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] the Commission shall adopt guidance regarding provision of information by digital means.
Amendment 391 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The information referred to in paragraphs 1 through 3 may, as a derogation from paragraph 4, be provided by electronic means that are specified on the package or on a label that is attached to it. In such cases, the following requirements apply: a) no user data shall be collected or tracked; b) the information shall not be displayed with other information intended for sales or marketing purposes.
Amendment 527 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1
Article 23 – paragraph 1
1. Economic operators who place reusable packaging on the market shall ensure that a system for re-use of such packaging is in place, which meets the requirements laid down in Article 24 and Annex VI, except where the packaging is reused as tableware or kitchenware.
Amendment 528 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. This obligation shall not apply to packaging intended for reuse as kitchenware or tableware.
Amendment 594 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 5
Article 43 – paragraph 5
5. By way of derogation from the separate waste collection obligation in paragraph 3, certain types of packaging waste may be collected together - or together with other waste -where such collection does not affect their potential to undergo recycling operations and results in output from those operations which is of comparable quality to that achieved through separate collection. In particular, inert packaging marketed in very small quantities (i.e. approximately 0.1% by weight) in the European Union, and made from the same materials as waste disposed of in the construction waste stream, shall be disposed of together with construction and demolition waste.
Amendment 607 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 52 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 52 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Where, in the course of that evaluation, and following a process where objections raised by economic operators have been considered, the market surveillance authorities find that the packaging does not comply with the requirements laid down in this Regulation, they shall without delay require the relevant economic operator to take appropriate and proportionate corrective measures, within a reasonable period prescribed by the market surveillance authorities which is commensurate with the nature and, where relevant the degree of the non-compliance, to bring the packaging in compliance with those requirements. The evaluation of market surveillance authorities shall be based on due process.
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 52 – paragraph 4
Article 52 – paragraph 4
4. The economic operator shall ensure that all appropriate corrective measures is taken in respect of all the concerned packaging, following due process, that the economic operator has made availableplaced on the market throughout the Union.
Amendment 611 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 54 – paragraph 1
Article 54 – paragraph 1
1. Where, having carried out an evaluation under Article 52, and following a process where objections raised by economic operators have been considered, a Member State finds that although packaging is in compliance with the applicable requirements set out in Articles 5 to 11, it presents a risk to the environment or human health, it shall without delay require the relevant economic operator to take all appropriate measures, within a reasonable period prescribed by the market surveillance authorities and commensurate with the nature and, where relevant, the degree of risk, to ensure that the packaging concerned, when placed on the market, no longer presents that risk, to withdraw the packaging from the market or to recall it. The evaluation of market surveillance authorities shall be based on due process
Amendment 630 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V
Annex V