ISO 18604:2013
(Main)Packaging and the environment — Material recycling
Packaging and the environment — Material recycling
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.
Emballage et environnement — Recyclage de matériau
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18604
First edition
2013-01-15
Packaging and the environment —
Material recycling
Emballage et environnement — Recyclage de matériau
Reference number
©
ISO 2013
© ISO 2013
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ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 Application . 2
4.2 Packaging assessment . 2
4.3 Declaration of percentage recyclable . 2
4.4 Meeting the requirements of this International Standard . 2
4.5 Support documentation . 2
Annex A (normative) Procedures to evaluate packaging recoverable by material recycling .3
Annex B (normative) Procedure for assessing recyclability criteria . 5
Annex C (informative) Example of statements to determine the percentage of a packaging
unit recyclable . 8
Annex D (informative) Examples of declaration of the percentage by weight of a packaging unit
which can be recycled .11
Bibliography .18
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 18604 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 122, Packaging, Subcommittee SC 4, Packaging
and environment.
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Introduction
Packaging plays a critical role in almost every industry, every sector, and every supply chain. Appropriate
packaging is essential to prevent loss of goods and, as a result, decrease impact on the environment.
Effective packaging makes a positive contribution towards achieving a sustainable society by, e.g.:
a) meeting consumer needs and expectations for the protection of goods, safety, handling, and information;
b) efficiently using resources and limiting environmental impact;
c) saving costs in the distribution and merchandising of goods.
An environmental assessment of packaging should include the manufacturing and distribution system,
the wastage of packaging material and goods, the relevant collection systems, as well as recovery or
disposal operations. This group of ISO standards and supporting reports provides a set of procedures
which aim to:
d) reduce environmental impact;
e) support innovation in product, packaging, and the supply chain;
f) avoid undue restrictions on the use of packaging;
g) prevent barriers and restrictions to trade.
A packaging should be designed to provide a number of functions for users and producers such as:
containment, protection, information, convenience, unitization, handling, delivery, or presentation of
goods. A major role of packaging is prevention of damage to, or loss of goods. (See ISO 18601, Annex A
for a list of the functions of packaging.)
ISO 18601 defines the interrelationships within the family of ISO standards which cover the environmental
impact of packaging throughout its life cycle (see Figure 1). These standards will help define whether
the selected packaging can be optimized and whether the packaging needs to be modified to ensure it
can be reused or recovered after use.
Demonstration that the requirements of these standards are met can be performed by first party
(manufacturer or supplier), second party (user or purchaser), or the support of third party.
There are different methods to which public claims on the environmental attributes of packaging
are discussed. Some of these are technical aspects on reuse or recovery, others relate to access by
the population to reuse or recovery systems or the amount of packaging placed on the market for
recovery. This series of standards addresses the technical aspects of packaging. They do not address the
requirements of ISO 14021 needed to support a claim or label.
This International Standard does not use the term “and/or” but instead, the term “or” is used as an
inclusive disjunction, meaning one or the other or both.
ISO 18601
Packaging and the environment – General
requirements for the use of ISO standards in
the ield of packaging and the environment
ISO 18602
Packaging and the environment – Optimization
of the packaging system
OPTIMIZE
Annex C
Assessment and minimization of substances or
mixtures hazardous to the environment
REUSE
ISO 18603
Packaging and the
Reuse
Decision
environment – Reuse
End of functional life
RECOVERY
ISO 18604 ISO 18605 ISO 18606
Packaging and the
Packaging and the Packaging and the
environment –
environment – environment –
Material recycling Energy recovery Organic recycling
Figure 1 — Relationship of the Packaging and environment standards
vi © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Recovery
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18604:2013(E)
Packaging and the environment — Material recycling
1 Scope
This International Standard 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 the requirements of this
International Standard.
This International Standard cannot by itself provide presumption of meeting the requirements. The
procedure for applying this International Standard is contained in ISO 18601.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 18601, Packaging and the environment — General requirements for the use of ISO standards in the field
of packaging and the environment
ISO 21067, Packaging — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions in ISO 21067 and ISO 18601 and the
following apply.
3.1
empty packaging
packaging is empty if, under normal and foreseeable circumstances, all product residues that can be
removed by the emptier have been removed using practices commonly employed for that type of packaging
3.2
primary (virgin) raw material
material which has never been processed into any form of end-use product
3.3
material recycling
reprocessing, by means of a manufacturing process, of a used packaging material into a product,
a component incorporated into a product, or a secondary (recycled) raw material; excluding energy
recovery and the use of the product as a fuel
Note 1 to entry: References to recycling in this International Standard refer to material recycling. Other options
for recycling or recovery are not considered in this International Standard.
3.4
packaging unit
unit which serves a packaging function such as the containment, protection, handling, delivery, storage,
transport, and presentation of goods
Note 1 to entry: In this International Standard, it is the subject of analysis.
3.5
recycling process
physical or chemical process which converts collected and sorted used packaging, together in some
instances with other material, into secondary (recycled) raw materials, products, or substances,
excluding energy recovery and the use of the product as a fuel
3.6
recyclable
characteristic of a product, packaging, or associated component that can be diverted from the waste
stream through available processes and programmes and can be collected, processed, and returned to
use in the form of raw materials or products
[SOURCE: ISO 14021, definition 7.7.1]
3.7
supplier
entity responsible for placing packaging or packaged goods on the market
Note 1 to entry: The term “supplier” in normal usage can relate to various points in a supply chain. For the purpose
of this International Standard, it relates to any point in the supply chain where a transaction relating to packaging
or packaged goods takes place.
[SOURCE: ISO 18601, definition 3.20]
3.8
packaging component
part of packaging that can be separated by hand or by using simple physical means
[SOURCE: ISO 18601, definition 3.9]
4 Requirements
4.1 Application
The application of this International Standard to any particular packaging shall be as specified in ISO 18601.
4.2 Packaging assessment
The supplier shall be able to demonstrate that the procedures defined in normative Annexes A and B
have been followed in arriving at the final design of the finished packaging such that a certain percentage
of the packaging materials can be claimed to be recyclable.
4.3 Declaration of percentage recyclable
Packaging may use more than one material whose relative proportions may vary from small components and
constituents, typically represented by labels and closures, to large proportions in multi-material packaging.
The supplier shall declare the percentage by weight of the packaging unit of packaging that is recyclable,
identifying the intended material recycling stream(s). An example of statements for this declaration is
given in Annex C.
4.4 Meeting the requirements of this International Standard
The supplier should prepare a written statement of meeting the requirements stated in 4.2 and 4.3.
4.5 Support documentation
The assessment shall be documented and examples of the structure of such documentation are given in
Annex C and examples are given in Annex D.
2 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Annex A
(normative)
Procedures to evaluate packaging recoverable by material recycling
A.1 Objective
To identify the criteria that need to be taken into consideration when assessing the suitability of packaging
for material recycling. These criteria for recycling should be considered in a perspective which includes
all relevant aspects, from design, manufacture, and use, through to collection and sorting, until the
packaging is recovered by material recycling, as well as the development of recycling technologies.
This perspective is conveniently illustrated and checked through the matrix approach presented in
Table A.1, which represents a guideline to elaborate practical requirements for packaging recoverable
in the form of material recycling.
The relevant boxes in Table A.1 highlight the interactions between life cycle steps and criteria for
recyclable packaging.
A.2 Control of packaging construction/composition and processing
— Ensure that the design of packaging includes consideration of aspects significant for the recycling of
the materials from which it is produced.
— Control selection of raw materials used in production/packing/filling operations and, where practicable,
collection/sorting operations to ensure that the recycling processes are not negatively affected.
A.3 Suitability for available material recycling technology
— Ensure that the design of packaging makes use of suitable materials or combinations of materials
which are compatible with the known, relevant, and industrially available recycling technologies
while also recognizing the interrelationship of standards as detailed in 4.1.
NOTE The development and marketing of new packaging materials and systems may precede the
substantial introduction of appropriate recycling processes. It is recognized that the development and
expansion of such recycling processes may take a period of time, and that due consideration should be given
regarding the impact on existing collection and recycling processes.
— Establish a system designed to ensure that new developments in the relevant technology for the
recycling of the material used in packaging are monitored and recorded and that such records are
available to the design function.
A.4 Releases to the environment caused by recycling of the packaging after use
Take account of the potential change in releases to the environment arising from the used packaging or
product residues in the recycling process.
Table A.1 — Elaboration of requirements by a decision matrix with interactions between life
cycle steps and criteria for material recycling of packaging
Criteria for recyclable packaging
Life cycle steps Control of packaging Suitability for available Releases to the envi-
construction/composi- recycling technologies ronment caused by the
tion and processing recycling of used pack-
aging
a a a
A.2 A.3 A.4
Design Relevant Relevant Relevant
Production Relevant Relevant Relevant
Utilization Relevant — Relevant
Sorting by the end-user Relevant — Relevant
Collection/sorting Relevant Relevant Relevant
a
The numbering in the table refers to the Clauses of Annex A.
4 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Annex B
(normative)
Procedure for assessing recyclability criteria
B.1 Objective
To assess the inter-relationship of the various criteria which support the requirements given in Clause 4
of this International Standard, as identified in Annex A and Table A.1, and detailed in the following
paragraphs and in the matrix in Table B.1.
B.2 Design criteria
Design the packaging, including construction, composition, combinations, and separability of
components, so as to ensure that it is compatible with the specifications of related recycling technologies,
enables a certain percentage by weight of materials to be recycled, and takes into account
— substances or materials that are liable to create technical problems in the recycling process,
— materials, combinations of materials, or designs of packaging that are liable to create problems in
collecting and sorting before material recycling, and
— the presence of the amount of substances or materials that are liable to have a negative influence on
the quality of the recycled material.
A format for the declaration of the percentage recyclable is given in Annex C. Where the format and
material of the packaging unit or components of packaging conform to national, international, or
commercial standards or specifications suitable for collection, sorting, and recycling, this may be used
as a basis for demonstration of recyclability.
Attention is drawn to the following factors affecting compatibility to specifications of recycling processes.
a) Efficient recycling depends on a material input of specified properties suitable for a production
process with or without primary (virgin) raw material.
b) Packaging may use more than one material whose relative proportions may vary from the small
proportions represented by labels or closures to the larger proportions in multi-material packaging.
The manner in which specifications deal with this range of multi-material packaging can vary
considerably depending on the materials being recycled, the recycling process, and the ability to
empty the packaging as defined in 3.1.
c) Specifications of the packaging should take account of
1) the separability of components when appropriate, and
2) the mechanical and chemical compatibility of material compositions or material combinations
with the recycling process and recovery streams.
These specifications should comply with relevant national or International Standards that are associated
with the technical requirements of delivery and supply of the input material for the related recycling process.
d) Any other design characteristics which influence recyclability should be taken into account in
arriving at the final packaging design, such as
1) substances hazardous to the environment as addressed in ISO 18602, and
2) emptying characteristics as influenced by design (addressed in B.4.2).
B.3 Production criteria
B.3.1 Raw material and material composition in production, conversion, and filling
Supplier shall ensure that the production operations associated with raw material sourcing/manufacture,
conversion, and filling operations for the packaging can be managed such that any changes or deviations
shall not adversely affect the compatibility of the packaging with the specification of the recycling process.
1)
NOTE Refer to ISO/TR 17098 .
B.3.2 Control of changes during processing
Supplier shall ensure that materials selected in the design stage cause no significant problems in
recycling technologies. The supplier shall also ensure that the materials are not changed during the
process so as to adversely affect compatibility with the specification of the recycling processes.
NOTE This can also apply to changes in other constituents such as adhesives, printing inks or coatings, and
components such as labels, closures, and other sealing materials.
B.4 Utilization criteria
B.4.1 Non-prejudice to other requirements
Supplier shall ensure that the construction meets other requirements that meet the safety, hygiene, and
consumer needs of the packaging.
B.4.2 Criteria for emptying by the end-user
Supplier shall ensure that the design of the primary packaging, e.g. shape of the packaging, design and
location of the opening, etc., will enable emptying of the packaging using common practices as defined
in 3.1 such that the used packaging is compatible with the recycling process.
NOTE Packaging systems may consist of primary packaging, which is in contact with the product, and
secondary packaging (group packaging) or tertiary packaging (or transport packaging). These latter types of
packaging should normally be easily separable and made available uncontaminated by the product.
B.4.3 Criteria for sorting by the end-user
Supplier shall ensure that where the packaging comprises more than one material component which
needs to be separated to be compatible with the collection system as required for suitability with the
recycling process, the packaging is constructed so that the end-user can carry out the separation under
normal and foreseeable circumstances.
B.5 Criteria for collection/sorting
Supplier shall ensure, as far as may be practicable, that information has been sought regarding any
particular requirements of the expected and relevant collection and sorting process are identified and
that the design and construction of the packaging takes these into account.
1) To be published.
6 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Table B.1 — Interactions between life cycle steps and criteria for recyclable packaging
(Decision matrix)
Criteria for recyclable packaging
Life cycle steps Control of packaging Suitability for available Releases to environ-
construction/composi- recycling technologies ment caused by recy-
tion and processing cling of packaging
a a a
A.2 A.3 A.4
Design Criteria B.2/B.4.2 Criteria B.2 Criteria B.2
Production
...
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