Does the EU Package and Packaging Waste Directive Place Restriction on PVC?
Does the EU Package and Packaging Waste Directive Place Restriction on PVC?
Is there an update to your 2007 response regarding a ban on PVC in packaging in the European Union? Specifically, is there an existing ban or a phseout timetable for PVC in packaging (particularly non-food contact packaging). Is this related to the packaging and waste directive or the plastic directive?
To our knowledge, there is no existing ban or phaseout timetable for PVC used in packaging in the European Union (EU). With respect to food packaging, the Plastics Directive 2002/72/EC, as amended, will be repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food ('the PIM') on 1 May 2011. Vinyl chloride monomer will be listed on the PIM subject to the same non-detect limit (10 ppb) and residual level limit (1 mg/kg in the finished article) as that set out in the Plastics Directive 2002/72/EC, as amended. However, the PIM sets out updated methods for testing migration and residual content of vinyl chloride monomer. When used in articles that are entirely plastic, the finished article will also be required to meet the overall migration limit of 10 mg per square decimeter (or 60 mg/kg for food packaging intended for infants and young children) under the PIM.
Concerning non-food packaging applications, the food-contact legislation is used as a reference guide in the safety assessment of packaging for medicinal products and cosmetics.