Introduction
Accurate identification of what counts as packaging under the regulations is essential, as misreporting will impact data accuracy and compliance costs. Here’s what you need to know.
The packaging definition
The regulatory definition of packaging is “products made of any materials, or any nature, where the products are intended to be used to perform at least one packaging function in relation to goods, and are in one of the four packaging types”.
The packaging functions are defined as:
- Containment: restraining or enclosing, e.g. a bottle or can
- Protection: e.g. bubble wrap
- Handling: facilitating movement of a good, e.g. carpet cores
- Delivery: helping with the conveyancing of products, e.g. a pallet
- Presentation: e.g. labels or promotional stickers
The four packaging types – primary, secondary, tertiary and shipment – are described in our article Understand your packaging EPR data collection requirements.
Using the packaging decision chart
We recommend using the environmental regulators’ packaging decision chart, which we walk through in this article:
