EN 13430 Packaging - Requirements for Recyclable Packaging by Material Recycling

The European standard "EN 13430 Packaging - Requirements for packaging recyclable through material recycling" describes the requirements for classifying packaging as recyclable in the material recycling process, while supporting the continuous development of both packaging and recycling technologies, and the procedures for assessing compliance with these requirements. However, this standard cannot, on its own, provide a presumption of conformity. The procedure for applying this standard is contained in "EN 13427 Packaging - Requirements for the use of European standards in the field of packaging and packaging waste."

For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply in addition to the terms and definitions given in EN 13193, EN 13427 and EN 13437:

• Empty packaging: A packaging is empty if, under normal and foreseeable conditions, all product residue that can be removed by the unloader has been removed by practices commonly used for that packaging type. A non-exhaustive list of common practices includes: removal of the inner liner, pouring, pumping, suction, shaking, scraping, squeezing, rinsing, and wiping.
• Primary raw material is material that has not been processed into any end-use product.
• Recycling is the reprocessing of waste materials in a production process for the original purpose or for other purposes, including organic recycling but excluding energy recovery.
• The recycling process refers to the physical or chemical process that transforms collected and sorted used packaging and scrap, sometimes combined with other materials, into secondary raw materials or products. A description of the relevant recycling processes is included in the EN 13437 standard.
• Secondary raw materials are materials recovered from used products and scrap, excluding scrap generated during the primary production process, for use as raw materials. The exact structure of the primary production process may vary across material sectors. Refer to the relevant flowchart in EN 13437 to explain this process.
• The supplier is the organization responsible for bringing the packaging or packaged product to market.

The application of this standard to any specific packaging shall be as specified in EN 13427. The supplier shall be able to demonstrate that the procedures defined in the annexes of this standard have been followed in arriving at the final design of the finished packaging and that a certain percentage of the packaging materials can be claimed to be recyclable (Annex A and Annex B).

Packaging may use multiple materials in varying proportions, from small components typically represented by labels and closures to larger proportions in multi-material packaging. The supplier must declare the percentage by weight of the functional unit of the packaging available for recycling and indicate the intended material recycling stream. A format for this declaration is included in the annex to this standard (Annex C).

The standard, "CR 13688 Packaging - Material recycling - Report on requirements for substances and materials to prevent them from becoming a permanent impediment to recycling," provides guidance on materials and substances that may constitute a permanent impediment to material recycling within the functional unit of packaging. Contamination of packaging through contact with foreign materials during collection and separation processes, or residues of packaging contents even after cleaning, are not considered impediments to material recycling.

Regarding the compliance of packaging with this standard (material recycling), the supplier must prepare a written declaration of conformity with the requirements specified in this standard. Furthermore, the assessment must be documented.

The EN 13430 standard is essential because it establishes clear and consistent requirements for packaging that can be recovered through material recycling. This standard is considered important for the following reasons:

• Supports circular economy goals: This standard promotes packaging that can be effectively recycled after use. This aligns with European Union norms and global initiatives to reduce waste, conserve resources, and transition from a linear to a circular economy.
• Provides clear design guidelines: This standard helps packaging designers and manufacturers create products that:
  • Technically recyclable
  • Compatible with existing recycling infrastructure
  • Made with recyclable materials

This reduces confusion around recyclable packaging and greenwashing claims.

• Increases waste management efficiency: This standard ensures that packaging is designed for material recovery by:
  • Reduces landfill waste
  • Minimizes environmental pollution
  • Supports recycling industry efficiency and material purity
• Ensures legal and regulatory compliance: In many European Union countries, compliance with this standard can ensure:
  • It can serve as proof of compliance with packaging waste directives (such as the European packaging and packaging waste directive 94/62/EC).
  • It may be a prerequisite for market access or eco-labelling.
• Promotes industry responsibility: This standard contributes to extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, where manufacturers are responsible for the post-use management of their packaging.
• Promotes transparency and harmonization: This standard provides a uniform assessment method across industries and countries and facilitates:
  • Fair comparisons
  • Consistent environmental claims
  • Harmonization of practices across Europe

For companies working with packaging design, sustainability or regulatory compliance, understanding and implementing the EN 13430 standard is essential to meeting modern environmental standards.

The EN 13430 standard outlines the technical requirements that packaging must meet to be considered recoverable through materials recycling. These requirements ensure that packaging is collected, sorted, and processed into raw materials used to produce new products. Key technical requirements include:

• Design for recycling: Packaging should be designed to:
  • Can be separated from the waste stream
  • Compatible with existing recycling technologies
  • Does not pollute the recycling process
• Material compatibility: Materials used, such as plastics, metals, glass, and paper, must be recyclable and generally accepted by recycling systems. Multi-material packaging, such as laminated layers, must be separable or proven to be recyclable as a unit.
• Process applicability: The packaging must be shown to have the following characteristics:
  • Can be collected and sorted using standard waste management practices
  • Can be reprocessed using commercially available recycling processes
  • Will result in sufficient quality material to be reused in new products
• Documentation requirements: Manufacturers must provide documentation that:
  • Verifies that the material is recyclable
  • Demonstrates availability of recycling infrastructure
  • Contains test results or industry data supporting recyclability claims
• Impact on recycling: Packaging must not:
  • Should not interfere with recycling facility operations
  • Must not cause excessive wear or residue
  • Must not reduce the quality or yield of recycled material
• Assessment methods: This standard includes guidance on how to assess recyclability, including:
  • Laboratory tests
  • Pilot recycling trials
  • Use of existing databases and recycling performance data

In summary, to comply with the EN 13430 standard, packaging must provide:

• Material: Must be recyclable
• Design: Should allow for easy separation
• Processing: Must be processable with current technologies
• Output quality: Recycled material must meet market demand and standards
• Documentation: Evidence of recyclability must be provided.

Our organization, which has been supporting businesses across all sectors for years through a wide range of testing, measurement, analysis, and evaluation activities, has a strong team of employees who closely follow global developments in science and technology and are constantly improving themselves. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the "EN 13430 Packaging - Requirements for Recyclable Packaging through Material Recycling" standard.