SIST EN 18120-6:2026

Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging - Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP rigid packaging

This document covers the design of any rigid packaging with the main body of the packaging unit predominantly made of PE or PP and the design of separate components predominantly made of rigid PE or rigid PP, with respect to compatibility of the design with state-of-the-art collection, sorting and recycling processes and useability of the recyclates in an application.
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.

Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 6: Leitfaden und Protokolle für starre Verpackungen aus PE und PP

Dieses Dokument gilt für die Gestaltung von allen starren Verpackungen, deren Hauptteil überwiegend aus PE oder PP besteht, sowie für die Gestaltung separater Bestandteile, die überwiegend aus starrem PE oder starrem PP bestehen, im Hinblick auf die Kompatibilität der Gestaltung mit den Sammel-, Sortier- und Recyclingverfahren nach dem aktuellen Stand der Technik und die Verwendbarkeit der Rezyklate in einer Anwendung.
Verpackungselemente und Verpackungsbestandteile aus anderen Materialien als PE und PP werden ebenfalls durch dieses Dokument behandelt, da sie hinsichtlich ihrer Kompatibilität mit dem PE  oder PP Polymer-Recycling bewertet werden müssen.

Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 6 : Lignes directrices pour les emballages rigides en PE et PP

Le présent document traite de la conception d’emballages rigides en PE et PP, et plus particulièrement de la compatibilité de la conception avec les processus de collecte, de tri et de recyclage.
Les constituants et composants d’emballages fabriqués à partir de matériaux autres que le PE et le PP sont également couverts par la présente norme, car il est nécessaire d’évaluer leur compatibilité avec le recyclage des polymères.

Embalaža - Načrtovanje za recikliranje plastične embalaže - 6. del: Smernica za togo embalažo iz polietilena (PE) in polipropilena (PP)

Ta dokument zajema zasnovo katere koli toge embalaže, pri kateri je glavni del embalažne enote pretežno izdelan iz PE (polietilen) ali PP (polipropilen), ter zasnovo ločenih komponent, ki so pretežno izdelane iz togega PE ali togega PP, glede na združljivost zasnove s sodobnimi postopki zbiranja, sortiranja in recikliranja ter uporabnost reciklatov v aplikaciji.
Embalažni sestavni deli in embalažne komponente, izdelane iz drugih materialov kot sta PE in PP, so prav tako zajeti v tem dokumentu, saj jih je treba oceniti glede združljivosti z recikliranjem polimerov PE ali PP.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 01-Nov-2024
• Publication Date: 04-May-2026
• ICS: 13.030.50 - Recycling
• ICS: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: EPO - Packaging - sales and grouped
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 23-Apr-2026
• Due Date: 28-Jun-2026
• Completion Date: 05-May-2026
• Mandate: M/584 - Plastics recycling and recycled plastics
• Ref Project: EN 18120-6:2026 - Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging - Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP rigid packaging

Overview

SIST EN 18120-6:2026 is a European standard developed by CEN, focusing on the design for recycling of plastic packaging, specifically polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) rigid packaging. As part of a comprehensive series aimed at maximizing the recyclability of plastic packaging, this guideline is crucial for ensuring that rigid plastic packages made primarily from PE or PP are compatible with modern collection, sorting, and recycling processes. The document also provides criteria for evaluating the impact of non-PE and non-PP components within these packages to maintain the integrity of PE and PP recycling streams.

Key Topics

• Design for Recycling: Practical guidance for designing rigid PE and PP packaging to align with current recycling infrastructure and requirements.
• Material Compatibility: Assessment criteria for both main bodies of packaging and attached or integrated components, ensuring all materials present are considered for recycling.
• Packaging Components: Evaluation of additional components such as labels, adhesives, lids, and sleeves for their effect on overall recyclability.
• Colour and Print Considerations: Distinguishes between natural, white, and coloured PE/PP packaging, providing tailored recommendations to optimize sortability and recycling.
• Barrier Layers and Additives: Guidelines address the use, limits, and compatibility of barrier materials, copolymers, and additives to prevent contamination of PE or PP recyclates.
• Sortability and Residue Management: Insights on how packaging design affects product emptying and the ability of waste management systems to identify and separate recyclables.

Applications

SIST EN 18120-6:2026 is valuable for:

• Packaging Designers & Manufacturers: Ensures new rigid PE and PP packaging designs are optimized for recycling, reducing environmental impact and meeting regulatory demands.
• Brand Owners and Retailers: Helps companies demonstrate compliance with sustainability goals and circular economy initiatives through packaging that is easier to collect and recycle.
• Waste Management and Recyclers: Simplifies sorting and increases recovery rates by standardizing design elements for better compatibility with recycling technologies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists organizations in meeting legal and market requirements for recyclable packaging throughout the EU, aligning with sustainability policies and EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) regulations.
• Material Selection and Innovation: Provides a basis for research and development teams to assess new materials for compatibility in PE and PP recycling streams.

Related Standards

SIST EN 18120-6:2026 is part of the broader EN 18120 series, which covers a wide range of plastic packaging types and processes. Related standards include:

• EN 18120-1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging.
• EN 18120-3: Sortability evaluation process for plastic packaging.
• EN 18120-4 & 5: Guidelines for PET bottles and PET rigid packaging, ensuring holistic approaches across various polymers.
• EN 18120-7: Guidelines and protocols for flexible PE and PP packaging.
• EN 18120-12 & 13: Protocols for recyclability evaluation of rigid and flexible PE/PP packaging.
• EN 13430: European standard for requirements for packaging recoverable by material recycling.

Practical Value

Adopting SIST EN 18120-6:2026 facilitates:

• Improved recycling rates: By enabling packaging products that are consistently sorted and recycled, this standard boosts the availability of high-quality recycled PE and PP.
• Reduction of contamination: Thorough design guidance makes it possible to avoid problematic materials, inks, adhesives, and additives that disrupt recycling.
• Support for the circular economy: The standard helps industry stakeholders close the loop by making packaging more recyclable, increasing the supply of secondary raw materials, and promoting eco-design.
• Consistency across supply chains: Harmonized design criteria streamline packaging choices for manufacturers shipping across European borders.

Keywords: SIST EN 18120-6:2026, packaging design for recycling, PE rigid packaging, PP rigid packaging, plastic recycling, sustainable packaging, CEN standard, recyclable materials, packaging components, circular economy, European standard, packaging compliance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2026
Embalaža - Načrtovanje za recikliranje plastične embalaže - 6. del: Smernica za
togo embalažo iz polietilena (PE) in polipropilena (PP)
Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging - Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP
rigid packaging
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil
6: Leitfaden und Protokolle für starre Verpackungen aus PE und PP
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 6 :
Lignes directrices pour les emballages rigides en PE et PP
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 18120-6:2026
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 18120-6
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.030.50; 55.020
English Version
Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging -
Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP rigid packaging
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von
vue de leur recyclage - Partie 6 : Lignes directrices Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 6: Leitfaden
pour les emballages rigides en PE et PP und Protokolle für starre 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 18120-6:2026 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 and PP-based rigid packaging designs with 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 Considerations on packaging format specific design guidance . 8
4.4.1 General . 8
4.4.2 White packaging . 9
5 Design guidelines . 9
Annex A (informative) PE and PP rigid packaging functionality . 27
Bibliography. 28

European foreword
This document (EN 18120-6:2026) 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 of 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 rigid packaging with the main body of the packaging unit
predominantly made of PE or PP and the design of separate components predominantly made of rigid PE
or rigid PP, with respect to compatibility of the design with state-of-the-art collection, sorting and
recycling processes and useability of the recyclates in an application.
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, 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
EN 18120-12:2026, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 12: Recyclability
evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP rigid 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 and PP-based rigid packaging designs with recycling
4.1 General characteristics
To determine the technical recyclability of the design of a PE or PP rigid packaging, the guidance tables
in Clause 5 shall be consulted in conjunction with the definitions provided in EN 18120-1. The tables
provide combined design guidance for all considered material recycling processes. This document
considers mechanical and chemical recycling of PE and PP rigid packaging as state-of-the-art recycling
technologies. It considers the outlets described in Table 1 as state-of-the-art.
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 rigid Mechanical recycling and Extrusion (Sheet Extrusion,
packaging chemical recycling Blow moulding), Injection
moulding
Coloured PE rigid Mechanical recycling and Extrusion (Sheet Extrusion,
packaging chemical recycling Blow moulding), Injection
moulding
Industrial PE rigid Mechanical recycling and Extrusion (Blow moulding),
packaging chemical recycling Injection moulding
Natural colour PP rigid Mechanical recycling and Extrusion (Sheet Extrusion,
packaging chemical recycling Thermoforming, Blow
moulding)
Injection moulding
Industrial PP rigid Mechanical recycling and Injection moulding
packaging chemical recycling
Coloured PP rigid Mechanical recycling and Extrusion (Sheet Extrusion,
packaging chemical recycling Thermoforming, Blow
moulding)
Industrial PP rigid Mechanical recycling and Extrusion (Sheet Extrusion),
packaging chemical recycling Injection moulding

The design guidance provided in this document covers a) main bodies of the packaging unit which
constitute PE-based or PP-based rigid packaging, with all their integrated components and constituents,
including those which are removed during the recycling process and b) separate components which
constitute PE or PP materials, with all their integrated components and constituents, including those
which are removed during the recycling process.
It does not cover separate components of rigid 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 rigid packaging.
Separate components are to be evaluated separately, as described in EN 18120-1. As such, a separate
component 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 can be incompatible with recycling while an
integrated component of the same specification may be compatible.
The design guidance provided in this document shall apply also to rigid packaging made from non-cross-
linked polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) foams, including expanded polyethylene (EPE and
extruded PE) and expanded polypropylene (EPP and extruded PP).
The following general principles shall be followed when designing PE or PP rigid packaging:
— prefer natural colour packaging where possible;
— as polyolefins will allow it, 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 or use easy removable ones;
— 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 used in the production of rigid packaging can include additional polymers 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
acetate (EMA), ethylene ethyl acrylate (EEA), ethylene methacrylic acid (EMAA) and its zinc, sodium and
potassium ionomers, and polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH)) and cycloolefin
copolymers as well as ethylene-based elastomers. Ethylene copolymers are considered fully recycling
compatible constituents and/or components of PE as long as the polar comonomer content is less than
a
5 %wt of the total packaging mass . If the comonomer level is above this threshold, they are considered
limited compatible with recycling unless data are available that would indicate the contrary. No upper
limit is considered for nonpolar comonomers like alpha olefins and norbornene. 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 used in the production of rigid packaging can include additional polymers such as polypropylene
copolymers. Copolymers may comprise 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 Considerations on packaging format specific design guidance
4.4.1 General
The tables in this subclause provide differentiated design guidance for PE and PP rigid 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, in the main body of the packaging unit at the stage of disposal.

a
For example, if EVA with 18 % wt vinyl acetate comonomer content is used at a 10 %wt level in a package then the
polar comonomer content in that package is 1,8 %wt and the 5 %wt limit is fulfilled.
Further differentiation is provided between natural colour packaging, and coloured packaging. 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. Annex A provides a further
explanation why colouration and printing is a requirement for many types of household rigid packaging
applications.
For all PE-based rigid packaging, the guidance in Table 2 shall be consulted. For natural-colour PE-based
rigid packaging (i.e. no colour in the plastic and mostly unprinted), the guidance in Table 3 shall be
consulted in addition to Table 2. For PE-based natural-coloured rigid packaging in industrial applications,
the guidance in Table 2 shall be consulted. For PE-based rigid packaging coloured through colour in the
plastic material Table 4 shall be consulted in addition to Table 2. For PE-based rigid packaging coloured,
through colour in the plastic material, in industrial applications, the guidance in Table 5 shall be
consulted in addition to Table 2.
For all PP-based rigid packaging, the guidance in Table 6 shall be consulted. For natural-colour PP-based
rigid packaging in commercial applications, the guidance in Table 7 shall be consulted in addition to
Table 6. For PP-based natural-colour rigid packaging in industrial applications, the guidance in Table 6
shall be consulted. For PP-based rigid packaging coloured through colour in the plastic material Table 8
shall be consulted in addition to Table 6. For PP-based rigid packaging coloured, through colour in the
plastic material, in industrial applications, the guidance in Table 9 shall be consulted in addition to
Table 6.
Unless otherwise stated, wt% figures in Tables 2 to 9 refer to weight percentage relative to the sum of
the weight of the main body of the packaging unit and its integrated components.
Natural and coloured PE and PP rigid 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. PE and PP rigid packaging from industrial packaging waste are usually not collected together
with household packaging waste. Due to separate collection schemes industrial packaging materials are
recycled back into their original or other applications. Certain industrial packaging waste is not collected
for recycling but for disposal due to hazardous residual product content.
4.4.2 White packaging
No specific guidance tables are provided in this document for the special case of white (rather than
natural colour or coloured) packaging designs, made from PE or PP as different scenarios exist for the
recycling of such packaging, either with the coloured stream or in a separate white stream. When
designing such packaging, attention should be paid to a high degree of lightness of the colour. Regarding
other constituents, the tables in this document can be consulted for orientation.
5 Design guidelines
The purpose of the design tables in this clause is to describe fundamental design principles with regards
to the technical recyclability of rigid packaging and not necessarily to define best design practices.
Table 2 — Guideline table all PE rigid packaging
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
Material PE (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE); PP; PLA, PVC, PS, PET and PETG;
composition
Nonpolar ethylene Polar ethylene copolymers Cellulose fibres;
copolymers and with a comonomer content
Aluminium;
homopolymers; representing not more than
Wood, ceramic, glass, metal
5 % wt of comonomer in the
Polar ethylene copolymers
structure
with a comonomer content
representing not more than
5 % wt of comonomer in the
a
structure ;
PP ≤ 5 %wt
TPO ≤ 10 %wt
Colours /
pigments (in the
target fraction)
d e
Additives/ fillers Amounts of functional Amounts of additives that Amounts of additives that
b
additives that does not raise raise the density of PE from raise the density of
the density of the PE in the PE > 1,00 g/cm ;
3 3
0,99 g/cm to 1 g/cm
main component to
Halogenated flame-retardant
3 c
0,99 g/cm or beyond (for
additives;
example: stabilizers,
Fillers based on cellulose
antioxidants, lubricants,
fibres, lignin or other natural
nucleating agents, peroxides)
fibres;
Additives intended to induce
PE degradation
Barriers, barrier EVOH ≤ 10 %wt + tie layers Amount of EVOH + tie layer Aluminium foil;
coating and/or compatibilizer; that does not raise the
PVDC, PVC;
density of the PE in the main
EVOH: tie layers ratio ≤ 2;
Iron
component to 0,99 g/cm or
Fluorination barrier
beyond;
technology;
Plasma fluorination;
In-mould fluorination;
PVOH ≤ 1 %wt;
SiOx Plasma Coating;
≤ 25 %wt PA6 and PA6/66
f
AlOx and SiOx ;
with tie layer PE-g_MAH,
≤ 10 %wt PA6 and PA6/66
*
0,5 g/gr of PA;
with Tie layer PE-g-
Carbon black in inner layer
MAH 0,5 g/gPA or
*
compatibilizer
Laminating
adhesives
Direct printing Laser marked or insignificant
g
amounts of print ;
Any other direct printing,
(inks + lacquer)
representing < 1 wt% of the
total packaging (inks have to
be compliant with EuPIA
Exclusion Policy);
Main body of the packaging unit

GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
Print structure suitable for
deinking according to
EN 18120-12 protocol
Inks, lacquers, Inks suitable for deinking Electroplating on Bleeding inks;
varnishes, coating according to EN 18120-12 attachments (with
Inks and coatings not
and ink binders protocol density > 1,00 g/cm );
compliant with EuPIA
Exclusion Policy for Printing
Inks and Related Products;
Labels and Label material (pressure Paper labels without Combination of label
h
labelling sensitive, in-mould, or fibreloss , < 5 %wt of the material, print, size and
adhesives otherwise attached to the package when releasable caliper, that effectively
main body) in PE, PP or a under the protocol of hinders the correct and
*
combination thereof, when reliable recognition of the
EN 18120-12:2026, 4.2.3;
releasable under the protocol main material;
of EN 18120-12:2026, 4.2.3; h
Paper labels with fibreloss ;
Label material (pressure
Aluminium;
sensitive, in-mould, or
PVC
otherwise attached to the
main body) not in PE, PP or a
combination thereof, where
the surface coverage should
be below 50 % when
releasable under the protocol
*
of EN 18120-12:2026, 4.2.3;
Inks, lacquers, Print with no bleeding inks in Electroplating on Label print that inhibits NIR
varnishes, coating removable labels; attachments (with
sorting by type of inks and
3 *
and ink binders density > 1,00 g/cm );
i
Label print that does not size of the components ;
inhibits NIR sorting of the
Print with bleeding inks;
main components by inks
Inks and coatings not
and size of the components;
compliant with EuPIA
Non washable inks on
Exclusion Policy for Printing
removable components non-
Inks and Related Products;
recyclable
Sleeves Sleeves in PE, PP and PO Paper sleeves without Combination of sleeves
3 h
(with density < 1,00 g/cm ); fibreloss , < 5 %wt of the material, print, size and
package when releasable caliper, that effectively
under the protocol of hinders the correct and
*
EN 18120-12:2026, 4.2.3 reliable recognition of the
main material, e.g. by
Sleeves in PET, PETG, cPET,
blocking NIR transmission;
PLA, PS (all with
3 * Cardboard sleeves with
density > 1,00 g/cm )
g
fibreloss ;
Aluminium;
Metallised sleeves;
PVC
Closure / PE; PP with density < 1,00 g/cm Other plastics with density
openings – rigid 3
PP ≤ 5 %wt Plastics with density < 1,00 g/cm ;
3 *
> 1,00 g/cm ; Materials containing
cellulose fibres, lignin
j *
Metals < 3 %wt
Decorations and closures
GREEN CATEGORY YELLOW CATEGORY RED CATEGORY
Full compatibility Limited compatibility Not compatible
Closure / PE; > 10 wt% EVOH with tie Lids with
openings – layer(s) representing at least density > 1,00 g/cm – not
AlOx; SiOx;
l
flexible the same weight as EVOH, peelable ;
EBA, EEA, EMA with a
and optionally a
Metal, paper and aluminium
comonomer content
compatibiliser;
components non lidding;
representing not more than
EBA, EEA, EMA with a
10 wt% of comonomer in the Paper flexible lids with
comonomer content
* h
structure; fibreloss ;
representing more than
l
EVA with VA comonomer Not peelable skin;
10 wt% of comonomer in the
content representing no
Other skin of
*
structure;
more than 14 wt% in the
3 m
density < 1,00 g/cm
* EVA with VA comonomer
structure;
content representing more
EMAA and EAA ionomers
than 14 wt% in the structure;
with a comonomer content
*
representing no more than
* EMAA and EAA ionomers
6 wt% in the structure;
with a comonomer content
Other polar ethylene-based
representing more than
copolymers with a
*
6 wt% in the structure;
comonomer content
LLDPE crosslinked by
representing not more than
electron beam radiation of up
5 wt% of comonomer in the
to 50 kGray dose at up to
k
structure ;
*
490 kV of energy;
≤ 20 wt% Propylene ethylene
≤ 25 %wt PA6 and PA6/66
elastomers (non-grafted);
with tie layer PE-g_MAH,
≤ 7,5 wt% PB-1;
*
0,5 g/gr of PA;
≤ 10 %wt PA6 and PA6/66
Lids with
with Tie layer PE-g-
density < 1,00 g/cm in PE,
MAH 0,5 g/gPA or
PP and PO, EVOH – not
*
compatibilizer;
l
peelable ;
Lids with
3 Plastic lids with
density < 1,00 g/cm in PE,
density > 1,00 g/cm –
PP and PO without or with
l *
peelable ;
l
EVOH ≤ 10 %wt – peelable ;
o
Peelable induction sealed,
Ethylene acrylic or
including aluminium, lids
methacrylic acid ionomers
with a density > 1,00 g/cm
thermoplastic polymer
removable in the float/sink
principally composed of
*
process;
repea
...