Packaging (definition)
Current definition
Packaging: all products made of any materials of any nature to be used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods, from raw materials to processed goods, from the producer to the user or the consumer, including ‘nonreturnable’ items used for the same purposes. Packaging’ consists only of Sales packaging or primary packaging, Grouped packaging or secondary packaging and Transport packaging or tertiary packaging. The definition of ‘packaging’ shall be further based on the criteria set out below:
- Items shall be considered to be packaging if they fulfil the abovementioned definition without prejudice to other functions which the packaging might also perform, unless the item is an integral part of a product and it is necessary to contain, support or preserve that product throughout its lifetime and all elements are intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together.
- Items designed and intended to be filled at the point of sale and ‘disposable’ items sold, filled or designed and intended to be filled at the point of sale shall be considered to be packaging provided they fulfil a packaging function.
- Packaging components and ancillary elements integrated into packaging shall be considered to be part of the packaging into which they are integrated. Ancillary elements hung directly on, or attached to, a product and which perform a packaging function shall be considered to be packaging unless they are an integral part of this product and all elements are intended to be consumed or disposed of together.
PPWR (valid from August 12th 2026)
Item intended for the containment, protection, handling or presentation of products to another economic operator or to an end-user.