SIST EN 18120-7:2026

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2026
Embalaža - Načrtovanje za recikliranje plastične embalaže - 7. del: Smernica za
fleksibilno embalažo iz polietilena (PE) in polipropilena (PP)
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 7: Guideline for PE and PP
flexible packaging
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil
7: Leitfaden und Protokolle für flexible Verpackungen aus PE und PP
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 7 :
Lignes directrices pour les emballages souples en PE et PP
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 18120-7:2026
ICS:
13.030.50 Recikliranje Recycling
55.020 Pakiranje in distribucija blaga Packaging and distribution of
na splošno goods in general
83.080.20 Plastomeri Thermoplastic materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 18120-7
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.030.50; 55.020
English Version
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part
7: Guideline for PE and PP flexible packaging
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von
vue de leur recyclage - Partie 7 : Lignes directrices Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 7: Leitfaden
pour les emballages souples en PE et PP und Protokolle für flexible Verpackungen aus PE und
PP
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 9 February 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 18120-7:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Compatibility of PE-based and PP-based flexible packaging designs with material
recycling . 6
4.1 General characteristics . 6
4.2 Sortability and residual content after emptying . 8
4.3 Copolymers of PE and PP . 8
4.4 Polyamides . 8
4.5 Considerations on packaging format specific design guidance . 9
5 Design guidelines . 10
6 Updating of design guidelines . 33
Annex A (informative) PE and PP flexible packaging functionality . 35
Bibliography. 36

European foreword
This document (EN 18120-7:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261 “Packaging”,
the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
The EN 18120 series, under the general title Packaging — Design for recycling for plastic packaging, which
aims via a series of guidelines and protocols to establish consistency and improvement for the design for
recycling of household, industrial and commercial plastic packaging, consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
— Part 3: Evaluation processes for the sortability of plastic packaging
— Part 4: Guideline for PET bottles
— Part 5: Guideline for PET rigid packaging (except bottles)
— Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP rigid packaging
— Part 7: Guideline for PE and PP flexible packaging
— Part 8: Guideline for PS and XPS rigid packaging
— Part 9: Guideline for EPS packaging
— Part 10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET bottles
— Part 11: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET rigid packaging
(except bottles)
— Part 12: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP rigid
packaging
— Part 13: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP flexible
packaging
— Part 14: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PS and XPS rigid
packaging
— Part 15: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for EPS packaging
Design for recycling guidelines are a common way of evaluating the compatibility with plastic-packaging
collection, sorting and recycling which enables the use of secondary raw materials that are of sufficient
quality when compared to the original material, in state-of-the-art facilities.
They provide guidance on the level of compatibility, defined as:
— green: packaging constituents and components with full compatibility with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling;
— yellow: packaging constituents and components with limited compatibility with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling;
— red: packaging constituents and components which are not compatible with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling.
The design for recycling guidelines provided in the EN 18120 series cover the design for recycling based
on the knowledge available at the time of the development of this document and are representative of the
state-of-the-art. They consider packaging waste collection, sorting and recycling, so that the recycled
plastic can substitute primary raw materials in packaging application or other applications. Compliance
with the design guidelines in the EN 18120 series does not guarantee that the recycled plastic quality will
be fit for purpose for a specific targeted end application or compliant with applicable regulations.
Packaging recyclability is the combination of design of recycling, proven collection, sorting and recycling
in practice.
1 Scope
This document covers the design of any flexible packaging with the main body of the packaging unit
predominantly made of PE or PP and the design of separate components predominantly made of flexible
PE or flexible PP, with respect to compatibility of the design with state-of-the-art collection, sorting and
recycling processes and useability of the recyclates.
Packaging constituents and packaging components made of other materials than PE and PP are also
covered by this document as they need to be evaluated on compatibility with PE or PP polymer recycling.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way their content constitutes requirements
of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest
edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 18120-1:2026, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 1: Definitions and
principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
EN 18120-3, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 3: Sortability evaluation process
for plastic packaging
EuPIA Exclusion Policy for Printing Inks and Related Products. https://www.eupia.org/our-
commitment/eupia-exclusion-policy-for-printing-inks-and-related-products/
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 18120-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Compatibility of PE-based and PP-based flexible packaging designs with
material recycling
4.1 General characteristics
To determine the technical recyclability of the design of a PE or PP flexible packaging, the guidance tables
in Clause 5 shall be consulted in conjunction with the definitions provided in EN 18120-1:2026. The
tables provide combined design guidance for all considered material recycling processes. This document
considers mechanical and chemical recycling of PE and PP flexible packaging as state-of-the-art recycling
technologies. It considers the outlets described in Table 1 as state-of-the-art.

At the time of creation of this document, the exact requirements for chemical recycling processes were not known
in detail. A future revision may introduce specific requirements.
Table 1 — Outlets for recyclates considered state-of-the-art in this document
Packaging type Recycling technology State-of-the-art outlet for
mechanical recycling
Natural colour PE Mechanical recycling and Film
flexible packaging chemical recycling
White industrial and Mechanical recycling and Film
commercial PE flexible chemical recycling
packaging
Coloured PE Mechanical recycling and Film, injection moulding
flexible packaging and white chemical recycling
household PE flexible
packaging
Natural colour industrial and Mechanical recycling and Film
commercial PP flexible chemical recycling
packaging
White industrial and Mechanical recycling and Film
commercial PP flexible chemical recycling
packaging
Household PP Mechanical recycling and Film, injection moulding
flexible packaging and chemical recycling
coloured industrial and
commercial PP flexible
packaging
The design guidance provided in this document covers a) main bodies of the packaging unit which
constitute PE-based or PP-based flexible packaging, with all their integrated components and
constituents, including those which are removed during the recycling process (see EN 18120-1:2026, 5.4)
and b) separate components which constitute PE or PP flexible materials, with all their integrated
components and constituents, including those which are removed during the recycling process.
It does not cover separate components of flexible packaging (which are already separated before and
during the sorting process) as per the definition of EN 18120-1 and as determined according to
EN 18120-3, unless these again constitute flexible packaging.
Separate components are to be evaluated separately, as described in EN 18120-1. As such, a separate
component of flexible packaging can be fully compatible with recycling even when an integrated
component or a constituent of the same specification would only have limited or no compatibility with
recycling according to the guidance in this document. Equally, separate components of flexible packaging
can be incompatible with recycling while an integrated component of the same specification may be
compatible.
In the development of this document, it was acknowledged that recycling of and into woven PP material, e.g., as
used for flexible IBCs, should be discussed and potentially added in a future revision of this document.
The following general principles shall be followed when designing PE or PP flexible packaging:
— prefer natural colour packaging where possible;
— prefer the use of a single polymer type unless additional materials are strictly necessary for technical
reasons, e.g. to avoid product waste (the guidance in the tables of this document shall apply to the
additional materials);
— minimize labels;
— minimize the use of adhesives;
— design the packaging, where possible and taking into account the filling good, in such a way it eases
emptying of its content to minimize residual content.
4.2 Sortability and residual content after emptying
The design guidance provided by this document considers effects on the sortability of packaging. It does
however not provide details on established sorting processes or a method for determining sortability.
Where sortability testing is advised in the guidance of this document, the provisions of EN 18120-3 shall
apply.
4.3 Copolymers of PE and PP
PE-based flexible packaging materials can include additional constituents and/or integrated components
such as ethylene copolymers. Such copolymers include for example ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA),
ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) and its zinc, sodium and potassium ionomers, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA),
ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA), ethylene ethyl acrylate (EEA), ethylene methacrylic acid (EMAA) and its
zinc, sodium and potassium ionomers and maleic-anhydride-grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) and
cycloolefin copolymers as well as ethylene-based elastomers. However, if the comonomer content is
equal or greater than 50 wt%, the copolymer is no longer considered a PE copolymer but a copolymer of
the other comonomer. For such cases, the classification of PE copolymers in the design guidance tables
shall not apply and the material shall be considered separately.
PP-based flexible packaging materials can include additional constituents and/or integrated components
such as polypropylene copolymers. Copolymers of PP may comprise copolymers of propylene with
ethylene, higher alpha-olefins, cycloolefins, and dienes as comonomers. Furthermore, PP polymers can
be grafted with MAH. If the comonomer content is equal or greater than 50 wt%, the copolymer is no
longer considered a PP copolymer but a copolymer of the other comonomer. For such cases, the
classification of PP copolymers in the design guidance tables shall not apply and the material shall be
considered separately.
4.4 Polyamides
Polyamides (PA, commonly known as nylon) are utilized as a constituent or integrated component of PE
and/or PP multilayer structures, predominantly in the production of flexible packaging. These
polyamides are primarily aliphatic, linear polymers characterized by the presence of the amide group —
the condensation product of amine and carboxylic acid — as a repeating unit in the polymer chain,
separated by hydrocarbon units. The presence of the amide group imparts properties such as mechanical
strength, barrier capabilities, heat and puncture resistance, as well as thermoformability. PA
concentrations in individual PE or PP-based packaging films range up to 35 % by weight.
PA can be coextruded in cast or blown film extrusion, requiring a tie layer to ensure adequate adhesion
to the polyolefin layers. PE and PP copolymers, such as ionomers or maleic anhydride-grafted
polyethylene (see 4.3), are generally used as tie layer resins. In applications with high oxygen barrier
requirements, such as packaging perishable foodstuffs, PA is typically combined with EVOH in multilayer
structures, often comprising 7 or more layers (example: PE/tie/PA/EVOH/PA/tie/PE). Oriented PA films
(oPA) are typically adhesive-laminated onto a PE or PP substrate to provide stiffness, strength, puncture
resistance and printability and sealability.
The main types of PA by volume used in PE and PP-based flexible packaging include semi-crystalline PA6
and PA6/6.6. PA6, a homopolymer of ε-caprolactam, is utilized in both cast and blown film (co)extrusion
as well as in oriented films. PA6/6.6 is a copolymer of ε-caprolactam, hexamethylene diamine and adipic
acid, with the comonomer content of hexamethylene amino adipate (6.6) typically ranging between 15 %
and 30 %. Thus, the crystallinity of PA6 and its processing characteristics, especially but not exclusively
for blown film coextrusion, can be modified. For similar reasons, PA6/IPD.I (copolymer of ε-caprolactam,
isophorone diamine and isophthalic acid) can be used in flexible PE-based films.
Other types of polyamides used in PE and PP-based flexible packaging include MXD.6 (homopolymer of
m-xylenediamine and adipic acid), amorphous PA6I/6T (copolymer of hexamethylene diamine,
isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid) and PA6/6.6/12 (terpolymer of ε-caprolactam, hexamethylene
diamine, adipic acid and laurolactam) amongst others.
4.5 Considerations on packaging format specific design guidance
The tables in this subclause provide differentiated design guidance for PE and PP flexible packaging,
acknowledging differences between both the properties of these plastics as well as parameters of their
recycling processes and different possible end uses for the recycled plastic.
When both PE and PP are present in a packaging design, the choice of design guidance table shall be based
on the predominant material, by weight, according to EN 18120-1:2026, 5.2.
Further differentiation is provided between natural-colour packaging, and coloured packaging. The
determination whether a packaging is to be considered coloured shall be performed according to
EN 18120-1:2026, 5.3. This differentiation is made as the sorting of plastic waste by colour and
subsequent separate recycling of natural colour and coloured packaging waste is common in Europe for
certain waste streams. Natural-colour packaging comprises mainly industrial and commercial packaging
such as collation wrap and shrink films, pallet covers, and similar packaging materials whereas coloured
packaging includes mainly packaging disposed by households. Annex A provides a further explanation
why colouration and printing are a requirement for many types of household flexible packaging
applications.
For all PE-based flexible packaging, the guidance in Table 2 shall be consulted. For natural-colour PE-
based flexible packaging, the guidance in Table 3 shall be consulted in addition to Table 2. For white PE-
based flexible packaging in industrial and commercial applications, the guidance in Table 4 shall be
consulted in addition to Table 2. For coloured PE-based flexible packaging, Table 5 shall be consulted in
addition to Table 2. Due to a lack of separation of white and coloured PE-based flexible packaging
originating from household waste streams, for white PE-based household flexible packaging, Table 5
shall be consulted in addition to Table 2 for these packaging designs.
For all PP-based flexible packaging, the guidance in Table 6 shall be consulted. For natural-colour PP-
based flexible packaging in industrial and commercial applications, the guidance in Table 7 shall be
consulted in addition to Table 6. For white PP-based flexible packaging in industrial and commercial
applications, the guidance in Table 8 shall be consulted in addition to Table 6. For natural colour PP-based
flexible household packaging, white PP-based flexible household packaging and coloured PP-based
flexible household packaging, Table 9 shall be consulted in addition to Table 6. Table 9 shall also be
consulted in addition to Table 6 for coloured PP flexible packaging in industrial and commercial
applications. No differentiation in guidance is made between natural colour, white, and coloured PP
flexible household packaging as these two packaging categories are generally recycled together.
However, as per the general preference expressed in 4.1, if PP flexible household packaging can be
designed to be natural colour, this option shall be preferred. Table 7 may serve as a guide for design in
this case; however, the assessment of natural colour PP household packaging shall only be performed
according to Tables 6 and 9.
The wt% figures in Tables 1 to 6 refer to weight percentages calculated according to EN 18120-1:2026,
5.6.
Natural coloured and coloured PE and PP flexible packaging from household-waste are collected together
and will not necessarily be separated during sorting in different waste fractions as infeed for different
recycling streams. Natural colour and coloured PE and copolymers from industrial and commercial
packaging waste are usually not collected together with household packaging waste. Due to separate
collection schemes industrial and commercial packaging materials are recycled back into their original
or other applications. If such industrial and commercial flexible packaging unintentionally ends in
household packaging waste, it will there be diluted and, due to its composition, not create problems in
recycling. Certain industrial and commercial packaging waste is not collected for recycling but for
disposal due to hazardous residual product content.
5 Design guidelines
The purpose of the design Tables 2 to 9 is to describe fundamental design principles with regards to the
technical recyclability of flexible packaging and not necessarily to define best design practices.

The adoption of further combined wt% thresholds for groups of materials, e.g., in the material composition or
barriers/barrier coatings row is encouraged for future versions of this document.
Table 2 — Guideline table all PE flexible packaging
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
Material PE (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE); EBA, EEA, EMA with a PET;
composition nonpolar ethylene-based comonomer content
PVC;
copolymers and representing more than
PS;
o
homopolymers; 10 wt% of comonomer in
m
paper
the structure;
EBA, EEA, EMA with a
comonomer content EVA with VA comonomer
representing not more than content representing more
o
10 wt% of comonomer in than 14 wt% in the structure;
the structure;
EMAA and EAA ionomers
EVA with VA comonomer with a comonomer content
content representing no representing more than
more than 14 wt% in the 6 wt% in the structure;
structure;
LLDPE crosslinked by
EMAA and EAA ionomers electron beam radiation of up
with a comonomer content to 50 kGray dose up to
representing no more than 490 kV of energy;
6wt% in the structure;
LDPE crosslinked by electron
other polar ethylene-based beam radiation of up to
copolymers with a 50 kGray dose up to 490 kV
comonomer content
of energy
representing not more than
≤ 5 wt% PP homopolymer;
o
5 wt% of comonomer in the
≤ 5 wt% PP polypropylene
structure;
l
random copolymer
≤ 20 wt% Propylene ethylene
elastomers (non-grafted);
≤ 7,5 wt% PB-1;
COC with norbornene
comonomer content
representing no more than
12 wt% of the structure
LLDPE crosslinked by
electron beam radiation of up
to 3 kGray dose at up to
70 kV of energy
Colours /
pigments
Additives/ fillers additives which are essential additives intended to induce
for product functionality and
degradation
durability and do not disturb
n
clarity significantly
w
Barriers, barrier AlOx ; AlOx with PVOH as primer aluminium foil;
d
coating w and/or topcoat up to 1 wt%
SiOx ; PVDC;
of PVOH in the structure;
≤ 10 wt% EVOH with tie PVC
SiOx with PVOH as primer
layer(s) representing at least
q and/or topcoat up to 1 wt%
the same weight as EVOH ,
of PVOH in the structure;
and optionally a
compatibilizer > 10 wt% EVOH with tie
layer(s) representing at least
q
the same weight as EVOH ,
Main body of the packaging unit

GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
and optionally a
v
compatibilizer
Laminating
adhesives
Direct printing  bleeding inks;
inks and coatings not
compliant with EuPIA
Exclusion Policy for Printing
Inks and Related Products
Inks, lacquers, ≤ 5 wt% of any combination > 5 wt% PU ink binders; PVC based binders;
varnishes, coating of inks using the following
> 5 wt% PVB ink binders PVC co- and terpolymer
and ink binders ink binders: PU, PVB, water-
binders;
based acrylic, digital inkjet
any other chlorinated binder
s y
Labels and PP ; paper labels whose adhesive
labelling is not water-releasable;
paper labels without fibre
adhesives
loss, with a density of above paper labels with fibre loss
1 g/cm and with a water-
*
releasable adhesive
Inks, lacquers,
varnishes, coating
and ink binders
Sleeves
p
Closure / polymers with polar ethylene copolymers metal, paper and aluminium
3 3
openings – rigid density > 1 g/cm except PVC with density ≤ 1 g/cm ; components
*
s 3
PP with density ≤ 1 g/cm
p
Closure / polar ethylene copolymers ; metal, paper and aluminium
openings – s components
PP
flexible
Seals / valves
Tamper evidence
components
Valves
Liners
Other adhesives
Other
constituents and
components
‘Structure’ refers to the main body of the packaging unit and its integrated components or a separate component
including its integrated components.
‘Colours/pigments’ describes mass colouration, not printing.
Thresholds for density may need to be revised in the future based on an assessment of the achievable precision of
experimental density determination.
Other constituents
Decorations and closures
and components
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
The generation of testing data for ink binders at above 5 wt% in the structure is recommended for a future revision
of this document.
The development of a standardized method to determine fibre loss is recommended.
‘Closure / openings – rigid’ includes for example valves and handles.
‘Closure / openings – flexible’ includes zips.
PVOH coatings and EVOH solution coatings always constitute a low weight, typically below 1 wt% in the packaging
structure.
Due to the complexity of the adhesive chemistry and hence different recyclability performance behaviour, it is
recommended to investigate a more granular set of criteria, beyond the wt% level, to determine the compatibility
in the future revision of the document.
It is recommended for the threshold in the specifications for carbon black in the yellow column of the ‘colours /
pigments’ row to be refined in future versions of this document.
a
A NIR sortability test may be conducted to demonstrate that such packaging designs are sortable.
b 3
Amounts that do not raise the density of the main body of the packaging unit to 0,97 g/cm or beyond.
c 3
Amounts that do not raise the density of the main body of the packaging unit to 0,99 g/cm or beyond.
d
Applies to all integrated components of the packaging.
e
Applies to commercial and industrial packaging only; does not apply to PE/PP laminate structures.
f
Applies to inks and coatings compliant with EuPIA Exclusion Policy for Printing Inks and Related Products.
g
At least 50 % of the surface area shall be covered with print behind which the metallisation is not visible to the
human eye. Asymmetric structures which may present either side towards a NIR sorting unit, e.g. lidding films, flat
films or films formed into packaging formats which could arrive on the NIR sorting belt with either of its two faces
up (e.g. packaging with tear functionality or which is unwrapped by the user) shall be tested for NIR sortability.
h
Does not apply if NIR sortability can be demonstrated based on EN 18120-3 or a supplier confirmation.
i
Does not apply if the coverage comprises many small features rather than few large areas. In such cases, the outline
of the packaging may still be recognized by optical sorting equipment. A sorting test may be conducted.
j
Does not apply to packaging for hazardous products that need to be removed from recycling streams.
k
Does not apply to packaging from industrial and commercial waste collection.
l
Does not apply to specific combinations of polypropylene random copolymers specifically listed in the materials
rows of Tables 3, 4 and 5.
m
Except for paper labels following the specifications in the labels and labelling adhesives row of this table.
n
For example, antioxidants, blueing agents, usual amounts of antiblock, antistatic, polymer processing aids, UV-
stabilizers, UV-absorbers.
o
For example, other acrylate or methacrylate monomers as well as MAA, AA, MAH.
p
See the materials row for specification and limitations of this material.
q
For this specification, ‘tie layer’ shall mean a layer of polymer with a MAH content typically below 0,4 wt% and
‘compatibilizer’ shall mean a layer of polymer with a MAH content typically above 0,9 wt% of maleic anhydride or
an adequate functional ethylene copolymer. The MAH content can be achieved by the use of a single resin containing
MAH or a combination of a MAH containing concentrate with another resin.
r
For this specification, ‘tie layer’ shall mean a layer of polymer with a MAH content typically below 0,4 wt%. The
MAH content can be achieved by the use of a single resin containing MAH or a combination of a MAH containing
concentrate with another resin.
s
Includes certain copolymers. See the materials row for specification and limitations of this material.
t
Opaque due to pigmentation or cavitation. If opacity is caused only by to the haze of a film, a NIR sortability test
shall be performed.
u
Product name, production date(s), best-before date(s), batch code(s), barcode(s), QR code(s), legally required text
(e.g. manufacturer’s name and address, ingredients), legally required graphics (e.g. CLP icons, DRS logos, plastic
material codes and recycling related symbols such as ‘Triman’ in France, Yellow dot in Spain).
v
Specification includes both coextruded structures and extrusion coatings.
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
w
Statement only on AlOx and SiOx itself. Primers and coatings applied together with AlOx or SiOx need to be
evaluated separately.
x
Such as CaCO , talc, glass fibres, and TiO .
3 2
y
The correct sorting of the packaging into the flexible PE or PP stream, according to the predominant material, shall
not be affected. For a label coverage of up to 30 % of the area of any face of the packaging, testing it typically not
required.
*
Removed and not recycled component/constituent.

Table 3 — Guideline table for natural-colour PE flexible packaging (to be used in combination with
Table 2)
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
Material ≤ 10 wt% polypropylene propylene ethylene
composition random copolymer with elastomers (non-grafted);
melting point lower than
> 10 wt% polypropylene
150 °C, if used in structures
random copolymer, if used in
with at least 85 wt% of
structures with LLDPE;
3 e
mLLDPE (d ≤ 0,920 g/cm ) ;
between 10 wt% and 35 wt%
≤ 15 wt% of polypropylene
PA6/6.6 coextruded, with
random copolymer with
0,5 g/g PE-MAH and
melting point lower than
optionally a compatibilizer
150 °C, in the presence of
mLLDPE (d ≤ 0,920 g/cm )
with a ratio of polypropylene
random
e
copolymer/LLDPE ≤ 0,19 ;
≤ 10 wt% PA6/6.6
coextruded
with 0,5 g/g PE-MAH and
optionally a compatibilizer
Colours / transparent light colours;
pigments
translucent colours
x x x
amounts of additives that do amounts of additives that amounts of additives that
Additives / fillers
not raise the density of the raise the density of the raise the density of the
main body of the packaging packaging to a value of packaging to above
3 3
unit to 0,99 g/cm or beyond 3 3 1,00 g/cm
0,99 g/cm to 1,00 g/cm
Barriers, barrier PVOH coating; metallisation
d
coating
Laminating aliphatic polyurethane polyurethane adhesives;
adhesives adhesives < 1,5 wt%
water-based acrylic
adhesives
Direct printing laser print;
insignificant amounts of print
u f
Main body of the packaging unit

GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
Inks, lacquers, ≤ 5 wt% of any combination  nitrocellulose binders
varnishes, coating of clear lacquers, clear
and ink binders varnishes and clear coatings
using the following binders:
PU, PVB, water-based acrylic,
digital inkjet, PA
s
Labels and natural-colour/white PE  metallised PE or PP
labelling
adhesives
Inks, lacquers,
varnishes, coating
and ink binders
Sleeves
s
Closure / natural-colour PE
openings – rigid
s
Closure / natural-colour PE
openings –
flexible
Seals / valves
Tamper evidence
components
Valves
Liners
Other adhesives
Other
constituents and
components
‘Structure’ refers to the main body of the packaging unit and its integrated components or a separate component
including its integrated components.
‘Colours/pigments’ describes mass colouration, not printing.
Thresholds for density may need to be revised in the future based on an assessment of the achievable precision of
experimental density determination.
The generation of testing data for ink binders at above 5 wt% in the structure is recommended for a future revision
of this document.
The development of a standardized method to determine fibre loss is recommended.
‘Closure / openings – rigid’ includes for example valves and handles.
‘Closure / openings – flexible’ includes zips.
PVOH coatings and EVOH solution coatings always constitute a low weight, typically below 1 wt% in the packaging
structure.
Due to the complexity of the adhesive chemistry and hence different recyclability performance behaviour, it is
recommended to investigate a more granular set of criteria, beyond the wt% level, to determine the compatibility
in the future revision of the document.
It is recommended for the threshold in the specifications for carbon black in the yellow column of the ‘colours /
pigments’ row to be refined in future versions of this document.
Other constituents
Decorations and closures
and components
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
a
A NIR sortability test may be conducted to demonstrate that such packaging designs are sortable.
b 3
Amounts that do not raise the density of the main body of the packaging unit to 0,97 g/cm or beyond
c 3
Amounts that do not raise the density of the main body of the packaging unit to 0,99 g/cm or beyond
d
Applies to all integrated components of the packaging.
e
Applies to commercial and industrial packaging only; does not apply to PE/PP laminate structures.
f
Applies to inks and coatings compliant with EuPIA Exclusion Policy for Printing Inks and Related Products.
g
At least 50 % of the surface area shall be covered with print behind which the metallisation is not visible to the
human eye. Asymmetric structures which may present either side towards a NIR sorting unit, e.g. lidding films, flat
films or films formed into packaging formats which could arrive on the NIR sorting belt with either of its two faces
up (e.g. packaging with tear functionality or which is unwrapped by the user) shall be tested for NIR sortability.
h
Does not apply if NIR sortability can be demonstrated based on EN 18120-3 or a supplier confirmation.
i
Does not apply if the coverage comprises many small features rather than few large areas. In such cases, the outline
of the packaging may still be recognized by optical sorting equipment. A sorting test may be conducted.
j
Does not apply to packaging for hazardous products that need to be removed from recycling streams.
k
Does not apply to packaging from industrial and commercial waste collection.
l
Does not apply to specific combinations of polypropylene random copolymers specifically listed in the materials
rows of Tables 3, 4 and 5.
m
Except for paper labels following the specifications in the labels and labelling adhesives row of this table.
n
For example, antioxidants, blueing agents, usual amounts of antiblock, antistatic, polymer processing aids, UV-
stabilizers, UV-absorbers.
o
For example, other acrylate or methacrylate monomers as well as MAA, AA, MAH.
p
See the materials row for specification and limitations of this material.
q
For this specification, ‘tie layer’ shall mean a layer of polymer with a MAH content typically below 0,4 wt% and
‘compatibilizer’ shall mean a layer of polymer with a MAH content typically above 0,9 wt% of maleic anhydride or
an adequate functional ethylene copolymer. The MAH content can be achieved by the use of a single resin containing
MAH or a combination of a MAH containing concentrate with another resin.
r
For this specification, ‘tie layer’ shall mean a layer of polymer with a MAH content typically below 0,4 wt%. The
MAH content can be achieved by the use of a single resin containing MAH or a combination of a MAH containing
concentrate with another resin.
s
Includes certain copolymers. See the materials row for specification and limitations of this material.
t
Opaque due to pigmentation or cavitation. If opacity is caused only by to the haze of a film, a NIR sortability test
shall be performed.
u
Product name, production date(s), best-before date(s), batch code(s), barcode(s), QR code(s), legally required text
(e.g. manufacturer’s name and address, ingredients), legally required graphics (e.g. CLP icons, DRS logos, plastic
material codes and recycling related symbols such as ‘Triman’ in France, Yellow dot in Spain).
v
Specification includes both coextruded structures and extrusion coatings.
w
Statement only on AlOx and SiOx itself. Primers and coatings applied together with AlOx or SiOx need to be
evaluated separately.
x
Such as CaCO , talc, glass fibres, and TiO .
3 2
y
The correct sorting of the packaging into the flexible PE or PP stream, according to the predominant material, shall
not be affected. For a label coverage of up to 30 % of the area of any face of the packaging, testing it typically not
required.
*
Removed and not recycled component/constituent.

Table 4 — Guideline table for white industrial and commercial PE flexible packaging (to be used
in combination with Table 2)
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
Material ≤ 10 wt% polypropylene propylene ethylene
composition random copolymer with elastomers (non-grafted);
melting point lower than
> 10 wt% polypropylene
150 °C, if used in structures
random copolymer, if used in
with at least 85 wt% of
structures with LLDPE
3 e
mLLDPE (d ≤ 0,920 g/cm ) ;
≤ 15 wt% of polypropylene
random copolymer with
melting point lower than
150 °C, in the presence of
mLLDPE (d ≤ 0,920 g/cm )
with a ratio polypropylene
random
e
copolymer/LLDPE ≤ 0,19
b b
Colours / white ; transparent light colours ;
pigments b b
transparent white light colours
x x
Additives / fillers amounts of additives that do amounts of additives that
not raise the density of the raise the density of the main
main body of the packaging body of the packaging unit to
3 3
unit to 0,97 g/cm or beyond beyond 0,97 g/cm
Barriers, barrier PVOH coating metallisation
d
coating
Laminating aliphatic polyurethane polyurethane adhesives;
adhesives adhesives < 1,5 wt%
water-based acrylic
adhesives
Direct printing laser print;  reverse printed laminates
f
surface print
f
Inks, lacquers, inks below 30 area% of inks between 30 area% and nitrocellulose binders ;
f
varnishes, coating surface coverage 50 area% of surface coverage
crosslinked and UV cured
f
and ink binders  f
≤ 5 wt% of any combination inks ;
of clear/non-coloured
two-component and
lacquers, clear/non-coloured f
crosslinked lacquers
varnishes and clear/non-
coloured coatings using the
following binders: PU, PVB,
water-based acrylic, digital
inkjet
s
Labels and natural-colour / white
...