ISO/TC 122/SC 4 - Packaging and the environment

This document shows some examples of markings (words, numbers or symbols) for the identification of packaging materials. This document is applicable to all types of packaging in order to enable the identification of the materials used.

ISO 21067-2:2015 defines terms used in the field of packaging and the environment. It does not include terminology already covered by ISO 21067‑1 or other International Standards such as ISO 14050.

ISO/TR 17098:2013 provides a non-exhaustive overview of substances and materials that can cause a sustained impediment to recycling activities and is intended to assist in the assessment requirements set out in ISO 18604. It describes substances or materials which cause problems or inhibit the recycling process, or which have a negative influence on the quality of recycled material, where technical solutions are not expected to be developed in the near future. These examples are, however, qualified by the fact that the recycling operations can vary regionally, that technology is constantly changing, and that the use to which the recycled material is put will also determine whether the presence of such substances and materials is a problem.

ISO 16218:2013 covers used packaging, although the processes described are not specific for used packaging and can be used for recovery of other materials of same type. Processes for chemical recovery of used packaging are applicable for plastic packaging or biomass-based packaging, which might be interpreted in two different ways: processes to recover valuable chemical substances by chemical treatment of used packaging, for example, to recover monomers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by hydrolysis, glycolysis or methanolysis, to recover oil by catalytic reaction or pyrolysis, to recover valuable gases such as hydrogen by gasification, to recover coke, oil and gasses by cokefaction; processes to directly substitute used packaging for natural resources without chemical pretreatment, for example, flakes of used plastic packaging may use in blast furnace in the place of coke as a reducing agent.

ISO 18606:2013 specifies procedures and requirements for packaging that are suitable for organic recycling. Packaging is considered as recoverable by organic recycling only if all the individual components meet the requirements. Therefore, packaging is not considered recoverable by organic recycling if only some of the components meet the requirements of ISO 18606:2013. However, if the components can be easily, physically separated before disposal, then the physically separated components can be individually considered for organic recycling. ISO 18606:2013 is applicable to organic recycling of used packaging but does not address regulations regarding the recoverability of any residual packaged goods. ISO 18606:2013 does not provide information on requirements for the biodegradability of used packaging which ends up in the soil environment as litter, because littering is not considered as a recovery option. It is also not applicable to biological treatment undertaken in small installations by householders. For each of the packaging components the following four aspects are addressed: biodegradation; disintegration during biological waste treatment process (i.e. composting); negative effects on the biological process; negative effects on the quality of the resulting compost, including the presence of high levels of regulated metals and other substances hazardous to the environment. ISO 18606:2013 establishes the requirements for packaging suitable for organic recycling. The procedure for applying ISO 18606:2013 is contained in ISO 18601.

ISO 18601:2013 specifies requirements and procedures for the other International Standards in this series on packaging and the environment: ISO 18602, ISO 18603, ISO 18604, ISO 18605, and ISO 18606. It is applicable to a supplier responsible for placing packaging or packaged goods on the market.

ISO 18605:2013 specifies the requirements for packaging to be classified as recoverable in the form of energy recovery and sets out assessment procedures for fulfilling the requirements. ISO 18605:2013 is a part of a series of International Standards. The procedure for applying it is contained in ISO 18601.

ISO 18603:2013 specifies the requirements for a packaging to be classified as reusable and sets out procedures for assessment of meeting the requirements, including the associated systems. The procedure for applying this International Standard is contained in ISO 18601.

ISO 18602:2013 specifies requirements and a procedure for assessment of packaging to ensure that the weight or volume of its material content is optimized consistent with the functions of packaging. This is one of several options for reducing the impact of packaging on the environment. It also provides methodologies and procedures for determining the amount and minimization of substances or mixtures hazardous to the environment, and determining the amount of four heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium) in packaging. The process for packaging design, including material selection, is not part of ISO 18602:2013. The procedure for applying ISO 18602:2013 is contained in ISO 18601.

ISO 18604:2013 specifies the requirements for packaging to be classified as recoverable in the form of material recycling while accommodating the continuing development of both packaging and recovery technologies and sets out procedures for assessment of meeting its requirements. ISO 18604:2013 cannot by itself provide presumption of meeting its requirements. The procedure for applying ISO 18604:2013 is contained in ISO 18601.