New standards put pressure on export chain
European Union's (EU) packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR), which came into effect on August 12th, sets out a series of new requirements aimed at reducing packaging, limiting single-use plastics, promoting reuse and improving recyclability. Accordingly, PPWR applies to almost all types of packaging brought to EU market, from food packaging and bottles to shipping and e-commerce packaging. The requirements will be implemented in stages, with many important regulations targeting 2030 deadline and beyond.
According to the roadmap, EU aims to reduce per capita packaging waste by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040 compared to 2018. From 2030, weight and volume of packaging must be limited to what is necessary for the product's use; empty space in some types of packaging must also not exceed 50%.
Along with goal of reducing materials, EU is also increasing requirements for recyclability. Accordingly, by 2030, all packaging on the market must be recyclable in an economically viable way. From 2035, packaging must be recyclable on a large scale, linked to appropriate collection, sorting, and recycling systems.
For plastic packaging, new regulations also aim to increase proportion of recycled materials used. From 2030, each category of plastic packaging will have to meet a minimum percentage as stipulated; in particular, disposable plastic beverage bottles must contain at least 30% recycled material. These requirements make packaging one of the stages that export businesses need to control more strictly.
Adaptation is essential.
According to resource and environmental experts, the issue is no longer just whether product meets standards but that enterprises must have data to prove that the product meets requirements. An unsuitable packaging type can lead to enterprises having to change materials, find other suppliers, re-test or adjust equipment and packaging processes. Especially when customers require documentation proving materials, sources, chemicals or test results, lack of available data can affect order processing schedule.
Speaking with a reporter from Industry and Trade Newspaper, Ms. Huynh Thi My, Vice President and General Secretary of Vietnam Plastics Association, said that packaging products exported to EU market now have to meet increasingly stringent environmental and material standards. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses are gradually adapting to meet market demands.
According to Ms.Huynh Thi My, for plastic packaging, some requirements related to percentage of recycled plastic used are posing new challenges for businesses. Some types of packaging must contain approximately 20-30% recycled plastic. However, domestic recycled plastic raw materials currently do not meet the demand. Therefore, many enterprises have to import recycled materials from abroad and must have complete documentation and certifications to produce goods for export to EU market.
In addition, for products using virgin plastic, enterprises also have to meet specific requirements related to packaging thickness. According to Ms. Huynh Thi My, this requires businesses to continue adjusting and adapting to maintain export activities. Assessing the impact, Ms. Huynh Thi My believes that new regulations will not affect all enterprises equally. Larger enterprises with better capabilities and early preparation will be more proactive in meeting new requirements. Meanwhile, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may face more difficulties and find themselves in a passive position.
According to the representative of Vietnam Plastics Association, meeting the new standards is not simply a matter of increasing raw material costs. A crucial requirement is for businesses to improve their management and process control capabilities, especially building a system of records and documents to prove origin and composition of raw materials to foreign partners. “When partners require proof of percentage of recycled plastic used, enterprises must have complete documentation and certifications related to source of raw materials, their origin and the supplier”, Ms. Huynh Thi My stated.
This requires enterprises to have personnel and procedures in place to prepare documentation so they can provide information when requested by partners. From perspective of Vietnam Plastics Association, green requirements need to be viewed based on realities of production and consumption. Ms. Huynh Thi My believes that the goal is not to completely stop use of packaging. "Most importantly, after consumption, we must collect and recycle waste, preventing it from being released into the environment", Ms. Huynh Thi My said.
According to a representative of Vietnam Plastics Association, plastic packaging still has advantages and meets needs of daily life. Important issue is that increasingly stringent standards will encourage businesses and consumers to raise awareness in the use, collection and treatment of waste. “The ultimate goal of green development is responsible consumption, collection, recycling and reducing environmental impact, not that green means stopping all consumption activities”, emphasized Ms. Huynh Thi My.
Recently, Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP) also noted that food-contact packaging entering the EU must meet limits related to PFAS (permanent preservatives). Enterprises need to strengthen documentation proving conformity of packaging. VASEP also suggested that enterprises should request complete documentation from packaging suppliers instead of only checking at final stage. Products using multi-layer flexible film, vacuum bags, rigid trays or barrier materials may face greater pressure for conversion. According to industry experts, PFAS comprises over 12,000 substances, making comprehensive testing both time-consuming and costly. Therefore, enterprises need to focus not only on testing but also on controlling PFAS throughout entire supply chain and production process to avoid risk of cross-contamination.
With PPWR roadmap still being implemented with requirements for material reduction, packaging space, recyclability, recyclable design and recycling rates, early preparation will give enterprises more time to choose appropriate solutions. For export enterprises, one approach is to create a "packaging map" for each product code, clearly identifying packaging layers, materials used, suppliers and existing technical documentation, certifications and test results. Based on this, enterprises can assess level of compliance and prioritize the handling of high-risk packaging. In addition, businesses need to standardize data related to raw materials, packaging, suppliers, chemicals and testing so that it can be traced when customers request it.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn