EN 18120-7 Standard Takes Effect, Setting Technical Criteria for PPWR Compliance

EU Releases EN 18120 Standards Series, Providing Technical Basis for PPWR Recyclability Assessment of Flexible Plastic Packaging 

Authoritative Source:

CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) official website, PULPAPERnews

Core Content:

• Published 14 new plastic packaging standards, including EN 18120-7 specifically for flexible plastic packaging, which will become the technical backbone of the PPWR Regulation in 2028
• Defined 7 key indicators for recyclability assessment of flexible plastic packaging: material purity, separation performance, mechanical recycling compatibility, contamination risk, labeling clarity, recycling facility adaptability, and recycled material quality
• Established an assessment system from "theoretical recyclability" to "practically operational recyclability", requiring flexible plastic bags with thickness ≥50 microns to meet Grade A (≥95% recyclable) or Grade B (≥80% recyclable) standardsIndustry Impact: Provides a unified technical standard for the EU PPWR Regulation (effective August 12, 2026), drives flexible plastic packaging design towards single material, easy separation, and high purity, forcing enterprises to transform production lines in advance