Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151Show full title

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151

of 17 December 2020

laying down rules on harmonised marking specifications on single-use plastic products listed in Part D of the Annex to Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment(1), and in particular Article 7(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Directive (EU) 2019/904 lays down general requirements on the marking of certain single-use plastic products that are frequently inappropriately disposed of. The marking is to inform consumers of the presence of plastic in the product; of the waste disposal means to be avoided for that product; and the resulting negative impact of littering or other inappropriate means of waste disposal of the product on the environment.

(2) Directive (EU) 2019/904 requires the Commission to establish harmonised specifications for the marking of single-use plastic products listed in Part D of its Annex. The harmonised specifications for the position, size and design of the marking should take into account the different product groups covered. The format, colours, minimum resolution and font sizes to be used should be specified in order to ensure that each element of the marking is fully visible.

(3) The Commission evaluated existing markings identified through a stakeholder online survey and the market overview, in order to understand the assessment mechanism and the requirements behind the markings and their impact.

(4) The Commission has consulted representative groups of consumers and has performed a field test to ascertain that the markings are effective and easily understandable and to avoid misleading information.

(5) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 39 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(2),

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 U.K. Packaging

For the purposes of this Regulation, ‘packaging’ means sales packaging and grouped packaging as defined in point 1 of Article 3 of Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(3).

Article 2 U.K. Harmonised marking specifications

1. The harmonised marking specifications for sanitary towels (pads), and for tampons and tampon applicators are laid down in Annex I.

2. The harmonised marking specifications for wet wipes, i.e. pre-wetted personal care and domestic wipes are laid down in Annex II.

3. The harmonised marking specifications for tobacco products with filters and filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products are laid down in Annex III.

4. The harmonised marking specifications for beverage cups are laid down in Annex IV.

Article 3 U.K. Languages

The information text of the marking shall be written in the official language or languages of the Member State(s) where the single-use plastic product is placed on the market.

Article 4 U.K. Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 3 July 2021.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 December 2020.

For the Commission

The President

Ursula von der Leyen

ANNEX I U.K. Harmonised marking specifications for sanitary towels (pads), and for tampons and tampon applicators

1. Packaging of sanitary towels (pads), with the surface area of 10 cm² or more, shall bear the following printed marking: U.K.

Note

:

the black line bordering the marking is not part thereof. Its only purpose is to show the thin white line bordering the marking against the white page.

By way of derogation from the first sentence of this point, the marking of packaging of sanitary towels (pads) placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be affixed by means of stickers.

2. Packaging of tampons and tampon applicators, with the surface area of 10 cm² or more, shall bear the following printed marking: U.K.

Note

:

the black line bordering the marking is not part thereof. Its only purpose is to show the thin white line bordering the marking against the white page.

By way of derogation from the first sentence of this point, the marking of packaging of tampons and tampons applicators placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be affixed by means of stickers.

3. The marking set out in points 1 and 2 shall comply with the requirements laid down in this point. U.K.

(a)

Position of the marking

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external front or top surface, whichever is more clearly visible, of the packaging.

Where the marking of the minimum size cannot fit in its entirety on the external front or top surface of the packaging, it may be placed partly on two sides of the packaging, i.e. top and front, or front and side, whichever is more clearly visible.

Where it is not possible to place the marking horizontally due to the shape or size of the packaging, it may be rotated 90° and placed vertically.

The boxes of the marking shall not be separated.

When opening the packaging in accordance with any instructions, the marking should not be torn or made illegible.

(b)

Size of the marking

The marking shall be composed of two equal-sized red and blue boxes, which are placed next to each other, and a rectangular black box containing the information text ‘PLASTIC IN PRODUCT’, placed below the two equal-sized boxes. The ratio between the height and length of the marking shall be 1:2.

Where the area of the external front or top surface of the packaging on which the marking is placed is less than 65 cm², the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,4 cm by 2,8 cm (3,92 cm²). In all other cases, the marking shall cover at least 6 % of the surface area on which it is placed. The maximum required size of the marking shall be 3 cm by 6 cm (18 cm²).

(c)

Design of the marking

The design of the marking shall be reproduced without adding any effects, adjusting the colours, retouching or extending the background. The marking shall be reproduced at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch when printed in actual size. The marking shall be bordered by a thin white line.

The information text ‘PLASTIC IN PRODUCT’ shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt and a maximum of 14 pt.

Where the information text is translated into another or several official languages of the Member States, the translated information text shall be placed either close below the marking, or inside the rectangular black box below the first language, and shall be in both cases clearly visible. In exceptional cases due to spatial constraints on the external front or top surface of the packaging, the information text translated into another or several official languages of the Member States may be placed elsewhere on the packaging as close as possible to the marking and where it is clearly visible. The translated information text shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt and a maximum of 14 pt. Where the information text in additional languages is placed in the rectangular black box, derogations from the maximum required size of the marking are possible.

The colours having the following colour codes shall be used:

• White: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0

• Black: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 100

• Red: C = 0 / M = 90 / Y = 60 / K = 0

• Blue: C = 60 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0.

ANNEX II U.K. Harmonised marking specifications for wet wipes

1. Packaging of wet wipes (i.e. pre-wetted personal care and domestic wipes), with the surface area of 10 cm² or more, shall bear the following printed marking: U.K.

Note

:

the black line bordering the marking is not part thereof. Its only purpose is to show the thin white line bordering the marking against the white page.

By way of derogation from the first sentence of this point, the marking of packaging of wet wipes placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be affixed by means of stickers.

2. The marking shall comply with the requirements laid down in this point. U.K.

(a)

Position of the marking

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external front or top surface, whichever is more clearly visible, of the packaging.

Where the marking of the minimum size cannot fit in its entirety on the external front or top surface of the packaging, it may be placed partly on two sides of the packaging, i.e. top and front, or front and side, whichever is more clearly visible.

Where it is not possible to place the marking horizontally due to the shape or size of the packaging, it may be rotated 90° and placed vertically.

The boxes of the marking shall not be separated.

When opening the packaging in accordance with any instructions, the marking should not be torn or made illegible.

(b)

Size of the marking

The marking shall be composed of two equal-sized red and blue boxes, which are placed next to each other, and a rectangular black box containing the information text ‘PLASTIC IN PRODUCT’ placed below the two equal-sized boxes. The ratio between the height and length of the marking shall be 1:2.

Where the area of the external front or top surface of the packaging on which the marking is placed is less than 65 cm², the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,4 cm by 2,8 cm (3,92 cm²). In all other cases, the marking shall cover at least 6 % of the surface area on which it is placed. The maximum required size of the marking shall be 3 cm by 6 cm (18 cm²).

(c)

Design of the marking

The design of the marking shall be reproduced without adding any effects, adjusting the colours, retouching or extending the background. The marking shall be reproduced at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch when printed in actual size. The marking shall be bordered by a thin white line.

The information text ‘PLASTIC IN PRODUCT’ shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt and a maximum of 14 pt.

Where the information text is translated into another or several official languages of the Member States, the translated information text shall be placed either close below the marking, or inside the rectangular black box below the first language, and shall be in both cases clearly visible. In exceptional cases due to spatial constraints on the external front or top surface of the packaging, the information text translated into another or several official languages of the Member States may be placed elsewhere on the packaging as close as possible to the marking and where it is clearly visible. The translated information text shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt and a maximum of 14 pt. Where the information text in additional languages is placed in the rectangular black box, derogations from the maximum required size of the marking are possible.

The colours having the following colour codes shall be used:

• White: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0

• Black: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 100

• Red: C = 0 / M = 90 / Y = 60 / K = 0

• Blue: C = 60 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0.

ANNEX III U.K. Harmonised marking specifications for tobacco products with filters and filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products

1. Unit packet as defined in point 30 of Article 2 of Directive 2014/40/EU (‘unit packet’) and outside packaging as defined in point 29 of Article 2 of Directive 2014/40/EU (‘outside packaging’) for tobacco products with filters with the surface area of 10 cm² or more; and packaging for filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products with the surface area of 10 cm² or more shall bear the following printed marking: U.K.

Note

:

the black line bordering the marking is not part thereof. Its only purpose is to show the thin white line bordering the marking against the white page.

By way of derogation from the first sentence of this point, the marking of unit packet and outside packaging for tobacco products with filters and packaging for filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be affixed by means of stickers.

2. The marking shall comply with the requirements laid down in this point. U.K.

(a)

Position of the marking

(i)

Tobacco products with filters

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external back surface of the unit packet and on the outside packaging.

Where the marking of the minimum size cannot fit horizontally on the external back surface of the unit packet, it may be rotated 90° and placed vertically on the back surface or on any of the external lateral surfaces of the unit packet. In all cases, it shall be clearly visible.

The boxes of the marking shall not be separated.

The marking shall not obstruct in any way the visibility of the health warnings required by Directive 2014/40/EU.

The marking shall not be totally or partially covered by other labels or stamps.

When opening the unit packet and of the outside packaging in accordance with any instructions, the marking should not be torn or made illegible.

(ii)

Filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external front or top surface, whichever is more clearly visible, of the packaging.

Where the marking of the minimum size cannot fit in its entirety on the external front or top surface of the packaging, it may be placed horizontally partly on two sides of the packaging, i.e. top and front or front and side, whichever is more clearly visible.

Where it is not possible to place the marking horizontally due to the shape or size of the packaging, it may be rotated 90° and placed vertically.

The boxes of the marking shall not be separated.

When opening of the packaging in accordance with any instructions, the marking should not be torn or made illegible.

(b)

Size of the marking

The marking shall be composed of two equal-sized red and blue boxes, which are placed next to each other, and a rectangular black box containing the information text ‘PLASTIC IN FILTER’ placed below the two equal-sized boxes. The ratio between the height and length of the marking shall be 1:2.

(i)

Tobacco products with filters

Where the area of the external back surface of the unit packet is less than 65 cm², the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,4 cm by 2,8 cm (3,92 cm²). In all other cases, the marking shall cover at least 6 % of the surface area on which it is placed. The maximum required size of the marking shall be 3 cm by 6 cm (18 cm²).

(ii)

For filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products

Where the area of the external front or top surface of the packaging on which the marking is placed is less than 65 cm², the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,4 cm by 2,8 cm (3,92 cm²). In all other cases, the marking shall cover at least 6 % of the surface area on which it is placed. The maximum required size of the marking shall be 3 cm by 6 cm (18 cm²).

(c)

Design of the marking

The design of the marking shall be reproduced without adding any effects, adjusting the colours, retouching or extending the background. The marking shall be reproduced at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch when printed in actual size. The marking shall be bordered by a thin white line.

The information text ‘PLASTIC IN FILTER’ shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt and a maximum of 14 pt.

Where the information text is translated into another or several official languages of the Member States, the translated information text shall be placed either close below the marking, or inside the rectangular black box below the first language, and shall be in both cases clearly visible. In exceptional cases due to spatial constraints on the external front or top surface of the packaging, the information text translated into another or several official languages of the Member States may be placed elsewhere on the packaging as close as possible to the marking and where it is clearly visible. The translated information text shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt and a maximum of 14 pt. Where the information text in additional languages is placed in the rectangular black box, derogations from the maximum required size of the marking are possible.

The colours having the following colour codes shall be used:

• White: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0

• Black: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 100

• Red: C = 0 / M = 90 / Y = 60 / K = 0

• Blue: C = 60 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0.

ANNEX IV U.K. Harmonised marking specifications for beverage cups

1. Beverage cups made partly from plastic shall bear the following printed marking: U.K.

Note

:

the black line bordering the marking is not part thereof. Its only purpose is to show the thin white line bordering the marking against the white page.

By way of derogation from the first sentence of this point, the marking of beverage cups made partly from plastic placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be affixed by means of stickers.

2. Beverage cups made wholly from plastic shall bear either the following printed marking or the following engraved/embossed marking: U.K.

Note

:

the black line bordering the marking is not part thereof. Its only purpose is to provide contrast against the white page.

By way of derogation from the first sentence of this point, the marking of beverage cups made wholly from plastic placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be affixed by means of stickers.

Note

:

the black line bordering the marking and grey background are not part thereof. Its only purpose is to provide contrast against the white page.

3. The marking for beverage cups made partly from plastic shall comply with the requirements laid down in this point. U.K.

(a)

Position of the marking

(i)

Traditional cups:

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external surface of the cup away from the rim to avoid contact with the consumer’s mouth when drinking. The marking shall not be placed under the base of the cup.

(ii)

Champagne-type cups:

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external surface of the cup, including the upper side of the base that holds the stem. The marking shall be placed away from the rim to avoid contact with the consumer’s mouth when drinking. The marking shall not be placed under the base of the cup.

Where it is not possible to place the marking horizontally due to the shape or size of the cup, it may be rotated 90° and placed vertically.

The boxes of the marking shall not be separated.

(b)

Size of the marking

The marking shall be composed of two equal-sized red and blue boxes, which are placed next to each other, and a rectangular black box containing the information text ‘PLASTIC IN PRODUCT’ placed below the two equal-sized boxes. The ratio between the height and length of the marking shall be 1:2.

For cups with a volume of less than 500 ml, the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,4 cm by 2,8 cm (3,92 cm²).

For cups with a volume of 500 ml or more, the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,6 cm by 3,2 cm (5,12 cm²).

(c)

Design of the marking

The design of the marking shall be reproduced without adding any effects, adjusting the colours, retouching or extending the background. The marking shall be reproduced at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch when printed in actual size. The marking shall be bordered by a thin white line.

The information text ‘PLASTIC IN PRODUCT’ shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt for the cups of less than 500 ml and of 6 pt for the cups of 500 ml or more.

Where the information text is translated into another or several official languages of the Member States, the translated information text shall be placed either close below the marking, or inside the rectangular black box below the first language, and shall be in both cases clearly visible. In exceptional cases due to spatial constraints on the external surface of the cup, the information text translated into another or several official languages of the Member States may be placed elsewhere on the cup as close as possible to the marking and where it is clearly visible. The translated information text shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt for the cups of less than 500 ml and 6 pt for the cups of 500 ml and more. Where the information text in additional languages is placed in the rectangular black box, derogations from the maximum required size of the marking are possible.

The colours having the following colour codes shall be used:

• White: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0

• Black: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 100

• Red: C = 0 / M = 90 / Y = 60 / K = 0

• Blue: C = 60 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0.

4. The marking for beverage cups made wholly from plastic shall comply with the requirements laid down in this point U.K.

(a)

Position of the marking

(i)

Traditional cups

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external surface of the cup, wherever is more clearly visible. The marking shall not be placed under the base of the cup. When printed, the marking shall be placed away from the rim to avoid contact with the consumer’s mouth when drinking In the case of ridged cups, the marking shall not be embossed/engraved on the ridges.

(ii)

Champagne-type cups

The marking shall be placed horizontally on the external surface of the cup, including the upper side of the base that holds the stem, wherever is more clearly visible. The marking shall not be placed under the base of the cup. When printed, the marking shall be placed away from the rim to avoid contact with the consumer’s mouth when drinking In the case of ridged cups, the marking shall not be embossed/engraved on the ridges.

Where it is not possible to place the marking horizontally due to the shape or size of the cup, it may be rotated 90° and placed vertically.

(b)

Size of the marking

The marking shall be rectangular-shaped and ratio between the height and length is 1:2.

For cups with a volume of less than 500 ml, the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,4 cm by 2,8 cm (3,92 cm²).

For cups with a volume of 500 ml or more, the minimum size of the marking shall be 1,6 cm by 3,2 cm (5,12 cm²).

(c)

Design of the marking

(i)

Printed:

The design of the marking shall be reproduced in black ink without adding any effects, retouching or extending the background. The marking shall be reproduced at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch when printed in actual size. The marking should have sufficiently high contrast to the background to be highly readable. To this end, the outline of the marking should be printed in one of the following colours.

• White: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0

• Black: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 100

• Red: C = 0 / M = 90 / Y = 60 / K = 0

• Blue: C = 60 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0.

(ii)

Engraved/embossed:

The design of the marking shall be reproduced without adding effects, retouching or extending the background. The white outline as shown in the marking under point 1.2 of this Annex represents the lines to be engraved or embossed on the cup.

The information text ‘MADE OF PLASTIC’ shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt for the cups of less than 500 ml and of 6 pt for the cups of 500 ml or more.

Where the information text is translated into another or several official languages of the Member States, the translated information text shall be placed either close below the marking, or inside the rectangular black box below the first language, and shall be in both cases clearly visible. In exceptional cases due to spatial constraints on the external surface of the cup, the information text translated into another or several official languages of the Member States may be placed elsewhere on the cup as close as possible to the marking and where it is clearly visible. The translated information text shall be in upper case and in Helvetica Bold font. The font size shall be a minimum of 5 pt for the cups of less than 500 ml and 6 pt for the cups of 500 ml and more.

When printed, the colours having the following colour codes shall be used:

• White: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 0

• Black: C = 0 / M = 0 / Y = 0 / K = 100.

(1)

OJ L 155, 12.6.2019, p. 1.

(2)

Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3).

(3)

European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste (OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10.).