SIST EN 18120-9:2026

Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 9: Guideline for EPS packaging

This document covers the design of any rigid packaging which has its main component, in weight, predominantly made of EPS, with respect to compatibility of the design with state-of-the-art collecting, sorting, and recycling processes and useability of the recyclates in an application.
Packaging constituents and packaging components made of other materials than EPS are also covered by this document as they need to be evaluated on compatibility with polymer recycling.
Unless otherwise stated, in the interests of better readability, ‘EPS packaging’ always includes ‘EPS white goods packaging and fish boxes’.

Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 9: Leitfaden und Protokolle für Verpackungen aus PSE

Dieses Dokument gilt für die Gestaltung von allen starren Verpackungen, deren Hauptbestandteil nach Gewicht überwiegend aus EPS besteht, 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 -bestandteile aus anderen Materialien als EPS werden ebenfalls durch dieses Dokument behandelt, da sie hinsichtlich ihrer Kompatibilität mit dem Polymer-Recycling bewertet werden müssen.
Sofern nicht anders angegeben, umfasst der Begriff „EPS-Verpackungen“ im Interesse einer besseren Lesbarkeit stets „EPS-Verpackungen für Haushaltsgeräte und Fischkartons“.

Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 9 : Lignes directrices pour les emballages en PSE

Le présent document traite de la conception d’emballages rigides en PSE, 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 PS sont également couverts par le présent document, car il est nécessaire d’évaluer leur compatibilité avec le recyclage du polymère.

Embalaža - Načrtovanje za recikliranje plastične embalaže - 9. del: Smernica za embalažo iz ekspandiranega polistirena (EPS)

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 01-Nov-2024
• 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
• Mandate: M/584 - Plastics recycling and recycled plastics
• Ref Project: EN 18120-9:2026 - Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 9: Guideline for EPS packaging

Overview

SIST EN 18120-9:2026: Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 9: Guideline for EPS packaging is a key European standard developed by CEN for the design of rigid packaging primarily made from expanded polystyrene (EPS). This standard addresses the compatibility of EPS packaging with current collecting, sorting, and recycling processes, ensuring that the design supports effective recycling and the reuse of recyclates in new applications. Covering both the main EPS components and any other materials used in packaging, SIST EN 18120-9:2026 aims to harmonize design principles and guidelines to improve the recyclability of EPS packaging, including those commonly used as white goods packaging and fish boxes.

Key Topics

Some of the primary considerations and requirements outlined in SIST EN 18120-9:2026 include:

• Design for recyclability: Guidance on maximizing the proportion of EPS in packaging and minimizing other components to enhance recycling compatibility.
• Material composition: Packaging with at least 95% EPS by weight is ideal, while mixed-material packaging, and those with significant non-EPS components, are less compatible with recycling.
• Color and Additives: Preference for white, uncoloured EPS, and avoidance of colored and heavily printed surfaces, as well as limiting additives that hinder recyclability.
• Closures, Labels, and Inks: Use of mono-material EPS or PS for closures and tamper-evidence, non-toxic inks, and easily removable labels to support efficient recycling and sorting.
• Sorting compatibility: Emphasis on the use of materials and designs that are easily identifiable and sortable by current recycling technologies, avoiding PVC, metals, and non-NIR-detectable colors.
• Comprehensive packaging evaluation: All packaging constituents and components are assessed to ensure they do not compromise the recyclability of the EPS packaging.
• Design categories: The standard categorizes design elements into green (fully compatible), yellow (limited compatibility), and red (not compatible) to guide industry professionals in optimizing their packaging.

Applications

The practical applications of SIST EN 18120-9:2026 span several sectors:

• Packaging Design and Manufacturing: Companies developing new EPS packaging, including white goods packaging and fish boxes, can use this standard to optimize designs for easier recycling and compliance with European sustainability goals.
• Recycling Operations: Recyclers and waste management facilities benefit from clearer guidelines, enabling them to process EPS packaging streams more efficiently and recover higher-quality recyclate.
• Brand Owners and Retailers: Adopting these guidelines supports circular economy initiatives and regulatory compliance, improving sustainability credentials and reducing environmental impact.
• Product Development and Innovation: The standard encourages innovation in EPS packaging solutions, such as label minimization, selection of compatible inks, and mono-material constructions.

Related Standards

SIST EN 18120-9:2026 forms part of a comprehensive family of standards addressing recyclable packaging:

• EN 18120-1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
• EN 18120-3: Sorting evaluation process for plastic packaging
• EN 18120-8: Guideline for PS and XPS packaging
• EN 18120-15: Recyclability evaluation process for EPS packaging

By following SIST EN 18120-9:2026 and related standards, organizations can ensure their EPS packaging is compatible with state-of-the-art recycling infrastructure, supports development of high-quality recyclates, and aligns with leading European sustainability practices.

Keywords: EN 18120-9, EPS packaging, recycling, design for recycling, expanded polystyrene, plastic packaging standards, packaging sustainability, CEN, European standard, sortability, recyclability, packaging design, packaging innovation, circular economy.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024
01-oktober-2024
Embalaža - Načrtovanje, ki omogoča recikliranje plastične embalaže - 9. del:
Smernica za plastično embalažo iz ekspandiranega polistirena (EPS)
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 9: Guideline for EPS
packaging
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil
8: Leitfaden und Protokolle für Verpackungen aus PS
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 18120-9
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
oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024
oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 18120-9
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2024
ICS 55.020; 13.030.50; 83.080.20
English Version
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part
9: Guideline for EPS packaging
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von
Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 8: Leitfaden
und Protokolle für Verpackungen aus PS
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 261.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 18120-9:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024
prEN 18120-9:2024 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Design compatibility of EPS protective packaging and fish boxes with recycling. 6
4.1 General. 6
4.2 General considerations for EPS packaging . 7
4.3 Sortability . 7
4.4 Design guidelines summary table . 8
Bibliography . 10

oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024
prEN 18120-9:2024 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 18120-9:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261
“Packaging”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
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.
oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024
prEN 18120-9:2024 (E)
Introduction
EN 18120 consisting of 15 parts 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.
— Part 1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
— Part 2: Process and governance to evaluate the recyclability of plastic packaging
— Part 3: Sortability evaluation process for plastic packaging
— Part 4: Guideline for PET bottles
— Part 5: Guideline for PET rigid packaging (except bottle)
— Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP rigid packaging
— Part 7: Guideline and protocols for PE and PP flexible packaging
— Part 8: Guideline for PS and XPS 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 other rigid
packaging
— 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 packaging
— Part 15: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for EPS packaging
Design for recycling guidelines are a common way of describing compatibility with plastic packaging
collection, sorting and recycling into high quality recycled plastic into state-of-the-art facilities. They
provide guidance on the level compatibility, defined as:
— green: Packaging constituents with full compatibility with recycling;
— yellow: Packaging constituents with limited compatibility with recycling;
— red: Packaging constituents which are not compatible with recycling.
Recyclability guidelines will require regular review and improvement to reflect innovations in design,
collection, sorting and recycling.
The Design for recycling guidelines provided in this series of standards are representative of the state of
the art in Europe and cover all steps from design for recycling, packaging waste collection, sorting,
recycling into recycled plastic and to use in a new application.
oSIST prEN 18120-9:2024
prEN 18120-9:2024 (E)
Packaging recyclability is the combination of five parameters: packaging designed for recycling,
packaging waste collection, sorting when necessary, recycling and use of recycled plastic in a new
application. This series of standards covers one pa
...