An updated version of the "Minimum standard for the assessment of the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation pursuant to Section 21 (3) of the German Packaging Act", in short the Minimum Standard, is published annually on September 1st. We have summarised the essential changes for you as below.
Requirement of individual proof remains unconsidered for the time being
In the draft for the consultation procedure of the Minimum Standard, the "existence of a recycling infrastructure via fraction numbers" was to be rated as "marginal" for almost all flexible packaging. Instead, the Minimum Standard stipulates that individual evidence of high-quality recycling must be provided in order for packaging of these material fractions to be classified as recyclable by the dual systems. Since the availability of itemised proof depends on the capacity utilisation of the recycling plants, incalculable consequences for distributors would have been the result. Not least due to massive objections from industry during the consultation process, this adjustment is no longer included in the final version of the Minimum Standard for the time being. This means that in Germany flexible packaging made of PE and PP can continue to be classified as recyclable without individual proof, regardless of its size.
New classification of recycling incompatibilities
In "Annex 3: Overview of packaging fractions/types and material-specific recycling incompatibilities" of the Minimum Standard, the essential change with regard to flexible packaging can be found.
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