SIST EN 13437:2003

Packaging and material recycling - Criteria for recycling methods - Description of recycling processes and flow chart

This standard defines the principal existing processes for material recycling and their inter-relationship. Both packaging and recovery technologies are subject to continuing and rapid development. This standard describes the present stage of knowledge but may be subject to modifications in the light of new developments. The essential relationship between this and the four other (mandated) European Packaging Standards and one (mandated) CEN Report is specified in the standard prEN 261265.

Verpackungen und stoffliche Verwertung - Kriterien für stoffliche Verwertungsverfahren - Beschreibung von stofflichen Verwertungsprozessen und Flußdiagrammen

Diese Norm definiert die wesentlichen existierenden Prozesse für die stoffliche Verwertung sowie ihre Wechselwirkungen. Sowohl Verpackungen als auch Verwertungstechnologien sind einer kontinuierlichen und rapiden Entwicklung unterworfen. Diese norm beschreibt den gegenwärtigen Kenntnisstand, kann aber auch Gegenstand von Veränderungen ausgehend von neuen Entwicklungen sein. Die grundlegenden Beziehungen zwischen diesem und den vier anderen (mandatierten) Europäischen Verpackungsnormen und einem (mandatierten) CEN-Bericht sind in der Norm prEN 261265 dargelegt.

Emballages et recyclage matiere - Criteres pour les méthodes de recyclage - Description des procédés de recyclage et schéma de flux

La présente Norme européenne définit les critères pour un procédé de recyclage et décrit les principaux procédés connus de recyclage des matériaux et leurs relations.
Les emballages, ainsi que les technologies de valorisation, font l'objet de progrès constants et rapides. La présente Norme européenne décrit l'état actuel des connaissances, mais elle peut être sujette à modifications à la lumière de nouveaux développements.
L'EN 13427 spécifie la relation essentielle existant entre la présente norme et les cinq autres Normes européennes mandatées relatives aux emballages et un rapport CEN (mandaté).

Embalaža in snovno recikliranje – Merila za metode recikliranja – Opis procesov recikliranja in diagram poteka

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2003
• ICS: 13.030.50 - Recycling
• ICS: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general
• Technical Committee: EPO - Packaging - sales and grouped
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Sep-2003
• Due Date: 01-Sep-2003
• Completion Date: 01-Sep-2003
• Directive: 94/62/EC - European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste
• Mandate: M/200 - Mandate to CEN for standardization and a study related to packaging and packaging waste
• Ref Project: EN 13437:2003 - Packaging and material recycling - Criteria for recycling methods - Description of recycling processes and flow chart

Overview

EN 13437:2003 - Packaging and material recycling - Criteria for recycling methods - Description of recycling processes and flow chart (CEN) provides a structured description of existing material recycling processes for packaging and their inter‑relationships. The standard defines criteria for what constitutes a recycling process, presents a general recycling flow chart, and includes material‑specific flow charts (Annexes A–H) for aluminium, glass, paper/board, plastics, steel, wood and other materials. It reflects the state of knowledge as of 2003 and is intended to be updated as technologies evolve.

Keywords: EN 13437:2003, packaging recycling, material recycling processes, recycling flow chart, CEN standard

Key topics

• Criteria for recycling processes: Defines inputs (used packaging and scrap), outputs (secondary raw materials/feedstock) and the boundary between recycling and other waste management (e.g., energy recovery).
• Terms and definitions: Clarifies terminology such as recycling, feedstock recycling, scrap, primary/secondary raw material and reconditioning.
• General flow chart (Annex A): Maps packaging life‑cycle flows from production, filling/packing, use, collection/sorting, to recycling, incineration and disposal; identifies import/export and material losses.
• Material‑specific flow charts (Annexes B–H): Describe typical recycling routes and constraints for aluminium, glass, paper/board, plastics, steel, wood and other packaging materials.
• Multi‑component packaging: Guidance on compatibility, separability and design considerations to enable recycling of composite or multi‑material units.
• Practical scope: Emphasises that recycling routes depend on material type, source of used packaging and intended application for recycled material; notes inclusion of used packaging in EU recycling rates (Directive 94/62/EC) while production scrap is treated separately.

Applications and users

EN 13437:2003 is useful for:

• Packaging designers and manufacturers - to inform design for recyclability and material choice.
• Waste management and recycling operators - to map process flows and identify appropriate separation/cleaning stages.
• Policy makers and compliance teams - to interpret recycling definitions relevant to the EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive.
• Product sustainability, LCA analysts and environmental consultants - to model end‑of‑life scenarios and recycling pathways.
• Standardisation and certification bodies - as a reference for aligning packaging standards with recycling criteria.

Practical uses include designing recycling collection/sorting systems, setting specification targets for recycled content, and communicating recyclability in supply chains.

Related standards

• EN 13427 - Framework for packaging standards related to compliance with the Packaging Directive.
• EN 13430 - Requirements for packaging recoverability.
• EN 643 - List of standard grades of recovered paper and board.
• CR 13688 - Guidance on material compatibility and requirements.

For organisations implementing circular packaging strategies, EN 13437:2003 provides a practical, process‑oriented foundation for aligning packaging design and recycling operations.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Embalaža in snovno recikliranje – Merila za metode recikliranja – Opis procesov recikliranja in diagram potekaVerpackungen und stoffliche Verwertung - Kriterien für stoffliche Verwertungsverfahren - Beschreibung von stofflichen Verwertungsprozessen und FlußdiagrammenEmballages et recyclage matiere - Criteres pour les méthodes de recyclage - Description des procédés de recyclage et schéma de fluxPackaging and material recycling - Criteria for recycling methods - Description of recycling processes and flow chart55.020Pakiranje in distribucija blaga na splošnoPackaging and distribution of goods in general13.030.50RecikliranjeRecyclingICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13437:2003SIST EN 13437:2003en01-september-2003SIST EN 13437:2003SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 13437May 2003ICS 13.030.50; 55.040English versionPackaging and material recycling - Criteria for recycling methods- Description of recycling processes and flow chartEmballages et recyclage matière - Critères pour lesméthodes de recyclage - Description des procédés derecyclage et schéma de fluxVerpackungen und stoffliche Verwertung - Kriterien fürstoffliche Verwertungsverfahren - Beschreibung vonstofflichen Verwertungsprozessen und FlußdiagrammenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 11 March 2003.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the 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 translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UnitedKingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2003 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 13437:2003 ESIST EN 13437:2003

Packaging and packaging material flows.9Annex B (normative)
Aluminium packaging and aluminium packaging material flows.12Annex C (normative)
Glass packaging and glass packaging material flows.15Annex D (normative)
Paper/board packaging and paper/board packaging material flows.19Annex E (normative)
Plastic packaging and plastic packaging material flows.23Annex F (normative)
Steel packaging and steel packaging material flows.28Annex G (normative)
Wood packaging and wood packaging material flows.31Annex H (normative)
Other packaging materials.34Bibliography.36SIST EN 13437:2003

CR 1460).Flow q: Thin aluminium foil packaging (typically up to 0.05 mm) contributes to the net output of available energyfrom incineration by its oxidation.Flow r: Sorting aluminium for recycling through eddy current operation on the residue after incineration.Flow s: Aluminium recovered for recycling through collection and sorting as detailed above.B.8 Recycling ProcessThis comprises one or more operations which will convert used materials into a secondary raw material.Aluminium packaging which is collected and sorted is returned to the recycling process in baled, shredded or looseform and is further processed to eliminate any remaining contamination such as iron, lacquers, food/productresidues and moisture.The remelting operation is carried out in appropriate furnaces and alloying elements added to the recycled metaland primary material to reach the required specification for the product. In the case of specialised facilities for theremelting of aluminium drinks cans the process is a closed loop system where the used drinks cans are recycledand remelted into ingot for rolling into further can-stock sheet.Flow x, y and z: Details as given in the Annex to the General material Recycling Flow.B.9 Reusable PackagingOnly small quantities of aluminium packaging are intended for reuse, mainly consisting of beer barrels and othercontainers. Reconditioning can involve cleaning, recoating and structural repair. All flows refer to inputs andoutputs to the reuse loop.Flows h, k, g, m and v are as detailed in annex A to general material recycling flow.B.10 Import/ExportAluminium materials and packaging at each stage of the flow can be imported or exported across nationalboundaries, reference 4.5.SIST EN 13437:2003
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