{"id":81529,"date":"2023-06-14T15:29:12","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T13:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=81529"},"modified":"2023-06-14T11:26:43","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T09:26:43","slug":"protect-consumers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/verbraucher-schuetzen\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect consumers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Another milestone has been reached in the implementation of the long-planned and controversially discussed European Green Claims Directive: On 22 March 2023, the responsible EU Commission presented its measures against \"greenwashing and misleading environmental claims\": a major step for consumer protection - a major challenge for the packaging industry.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The bar is set high: \"With this proposal, we are giving consumers the certainty that something that is sold as environmentally friendly is actually environmentally friendly<\/strong>\", says Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the Commission. But originally, the Green Claims Directive was supposed to have been implemented long ago. It is part of the European Green Deal, a very ambitious package of measures to protect the environment in Europe. The first and second packages were already adopted in March and November 2022. The timing of the third package has now been discussed. \"In terms of content, the Commission remains consistent with its measures, and some aspects have even been tightened up<\/strong>such as the ban on new national ecolabels (circular labels). In terms of implementation, the package cannot keep up with the speed set for the SUPD, the single-use plastic ban, but the countries are willing to act quickly here,\" explains expert Malte Biss from Flustix<\/a>v.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Realisation in Germany<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The EU Commission intends to submit the directive to the member states in the first quarter of 2024, which will then theoretically have two years to implement the requirements as law. However, Malte Biss assumes that Germany is a pioneer here and is putting pressure on implementation<\/strong>\"Unlike with other EU directives, Germany is seen as a driver of the measures here. When the EU's largest economy implements measures, the other markets are not left untouched. In Germany, implementation is the responsibility of Steffi Lemke's Federal Ministry for the Environment and Cem \u00d6zdemir's Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Both Lemke and \u00d6zdemir have the greenwashing issues at the top of their agenda and are willing to implement the directives very quickly<\/strong>. Parts of the industry already fulfil the requirements and use independent certification procedures, because after price, sustainability is the most important factor in purchasing decisions,\" summarises Biss.<\/p>

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Certify every environmentally relevant statement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This statement remains in place and is even tightened up. \"Statements that merely emphasise the legally prescribed minimum standard may also no longer be communicated. If a recyclate content of 25 per cent is prescribed for plastic packaging from 2025, claims such as 'packaging made from 25 per cent recycled plastic' may no longer be used in advertising. A scoop (recyclates, editor's note) must then be added,\" emphasises Malte Biss.<\/p>

The responsible commission describes such slogans as \"explicit advertising claims\" and cites further examples: \"T-shirt made from recycled plastic bottles\", \"climate-neutral shipping\", \"packaging made from 30 per cent recycled plastic\" or \"ozone-friendly environmental protection\". These are all examples that consumers frequently encounter in their everyday lives. The implementation of this directive will have a correspondingly visible impact and significantly change the market.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Advertise with ecological advantages in future<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What must a company do to score points with the environmental benefits of its products in future? According to Brussels: \"Before companies include any of the types of environmental claims in question in their consumer information, they must Information to be independently verified and substantiated by scientific evidence in future<\/strong> become. As part of a scientific analysis, companies will identify the environmental impacts that are actually relevant to their product and also any trade-offs in order to provide a complete and accurate picture.\" Industry expert Biss explains what this means: \"By a complete picture, the Commission means an independent review of the entire value chain. Each individual component of the supply chain must be independently verified and confirmed.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The flustix-RECYCLED-DIN-tested certificate states the exact article designations as well as the origin and provenance of the tested material.\n(Image: Flustix)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Complex testing procedure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Do we need such a complicated testing system in Europe? Malte Biss has a clear view on this: \"There is no alternative for the recycling system in Europe. We currently have uncontrolled material flows on the market.\" One example: A large manufacturer of cleaning agents and detergents was offered recycled materials from Vietnam. However, this was not recycled material, but relabelled virgin material from China. Seamless audits and proofs make such machinations much more difficult. \"The circular economy only works if we really know what is in the products<\/strong>\", says Biss.<\/p>

The audit covers the entire supply chain, from the raw material to the end product. The inspection is carried out by recognised inspectors, whose results are subjected to a conformity assessment by independent engineers. Only then is the seal awarded by independent partners. \"At flustix, we work together with DIN CERTCO\/T\u00dcV Rheinland, among others.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Certification, verification, sanctions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The question arises as to who will be authorised to certify in the future and which labels will then exist. The EU Commission is taking action here: Certification bodies must be recognised<\/strong>. New labels are only authorised under strict conditions, unless they are developed by the EU. The EU counts currently 230 ecolabels, all of which are now being reviewed<\/strong>. \"We assume that the EUIPO, the EU authority for intellectual property, will also play a central role here and control the awarding of the labels. The EUIPO awards the Union guarantee marks, and every internationally active eco-label must be listed here. Brussels expects that there may be 100 left in the end,\" analyses Biss.<\/p>

To this end, the EU is installing a testing system that assesses all standards. The 27 member states are then responsible for carrying out the checks. Each country must have a designate an appropriate authority responsible for enforcing the provisions<\/strong>.<\/p>

Sanctions are expected in the form of fines. The amount depends on the severity of the offence, e.g. repeat offenders are punished more severely. Revenue that the trader has generated from a transaction involving the products in question may be confiscated. The Penalty should amount to at least four per cent of total annual turnover<\/strong>. There is also a risk of exclusion from public procurement procedures and access to public funds, including tenders, grants and concessions.<\/p>

The publication of the EU Green Claims Directive provides important guidelines that companies should implement as soon as possible, lawyers advise. Judges will also be keeping an eye on the forthcoming greenclaim regulations in current disputes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What questions are still open?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Among other things, the The quality seals with environmental aspects created by industry associations themselves are under scrutiny<\/strong>. They were not included in the first draft, but now these quality labels are to be recognised alongside the accredited eco-labels. How this will look in practice has not yet been finalised, as the EU demands independence. \"It will also be exciting to see how the EU deals with national ecolabels that are distributed and used beyond national borders. France already has the national Triman logo, and Germany is also planning its own national recycling label. That doesn't really make much sense now,\" emphasises Malte Biss.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We relied on the expertise of certification and sustainability specialist Malte Biss, who has been closely monitoring the processes from the outset and categorising the results in terms of practicability.\n(Image: Flustix) <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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http:\/\/www.flustix.com<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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More news from the magazine <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSonja B\u00e4hr | When Science Doesn't Create Knowledge\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tIn her new column, packaging expert Sonja B\u00e4hr questions the scientific basis of planned PPWR labels. She demonstrates why coloured labels could consume enormous resources \u2013 without any demonstrable added benefit for waste separation.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPackaging Act: More bureaucracy than necessary\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThe new Packaging Act Implementation Act (VerpackDG) transposes the PPWR into German law \u2013 and brings significantly more bureaucracy to the industry than is legally required at the European level, according to packaging law expert Dr. Markus Pauly.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTransporting batteries safely and sustainably\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThe logistics of lithium-ion batteries require tested dangerous goods packaging and efficient circulation systems \u2013 such as Orbis Europe's robust plastic load carriers.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPackaging in transition\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThree trends are currently clearly setting the direction in the packaging world. They influence strategic decisions, investments, and product developments in almost every packaging-intensive market. And they show that innovation needs to become not louder, but smarter.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhen sustainability becomes a process question\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tTechnologies like ultrasonic sealing are increasingly gaining importance against a current backdrop.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tProcess over material as the decisive factor\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tDiscussion around sustainable packaging traditionally focuses on materials, but a significant portion of emissions arises from processing, such as in gluing, sealing or labelling.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To implement the Green Claims Directive, the EU Commission presented measures against \"greenwashing and misleading environmental claims\".","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":81537,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","rank_math_description":"Zur Umsetzung der Green-Claiming-Richtlinie stellte die EU-Kommission Ma\u00dfnahmen gegen \u201eGr\u00fcnf\u00e4rberei und irref\u00fchrende Umweltaussagen\u201c vor.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"verbraucher,green-claimimg-richtline,flustix","rank_math_title":"","_earpaper_enabled":false,"_earpaper_voice_id":"","_earpaper_audio_url":"","_earpaper_audio_id":"","_earpaper_article_id":"","_earpaper_status":"","_earpaper_error":"","_earpaper_duration":0,"_earpaper_generated_at":"","csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[65,42,60115,60016,60109,31],"class_list":{"0":"post-81529","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-aus-dem-magazin","8":"tag-abfalltechnik-und-recycling","9":"tag-etikettieren-kennzeichnen-codieren","10":"tag-eu-verpackungsverordnung","11":"tag-flustix","12":"tag-magazin-05-06-2023","13":"tag-nachhaltigkeit-und-green-packaging","14":"cs-entry","15":"cs-video-wrap"},"acf":[],"vimeo_video":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81529"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81529\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}