cen:proj:84533

Design for Recycling of Plastic Packaging - Guidelines for PET Flexible Packaging

Scope

PET flexible packaging is an increasingly relevant material category in the European market, yet no harmonised European standard or recognised design for recycling guideline currently exists for this type of packaging. Under the PPWR, recyclability must be demonstrated through clear design rules and standardised, reproducible test methods. In the absence of any existing guidance for PET flexibles, industry cannot determine compliance reliably, conformity assessment bodies lack a common technical basis, and national authorities face inconsistent implementation.
PET flexibles present specific technical challenges due to their multilayer structures, barrier systems, adhesives, inks, and coatings, which behave differently from both rigid PET and polyolefin flexibles during sorting, washing, delamination, and reprocessing. Without a dedicated standard, these materials cannot be assessed in a harmonised manner, and recyclability performance grades cannot be applied consistently across Member States. A CEN standard is therefore essential to fill this recognised gap, provide the necessary technical foundation for PPWR implementation, and support the development of high quality recycling streams for PET flexible packaging.