Engaging with the European Union

FBCA actively engages with the European Union's legislative processes, including the European Commission, Parliament and Council, to advocate for policies that promote sustainable packaging solutions. Through its involvement in key policy files such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) or the Green Claims Directive, FBCA contributes technical expertise and data-driven insights to support the EU’s ambitious environmental goals.

FBCA emphasizes the importance of science-based policymaking, ensuring that regulations like the PPWR and Green Claims Directive create a robust framework for recyclability, sustainability, and circularity. By collaborating closely with the European Commission, FBCA helps shape Implementing and Delegated Acts, advancing innovation and delivering practical, sustainable solutions for the packaging industry while aligning with the EU's broader climate and environmental objectives.

 

Policy Files:

Packaging and Packaging Waste regulation

The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) believes that the success of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) hinges on creating the right enabling conditions for packaging to be collected and then recycled. Without proper collection systems in place, recycling efforts are futile.

  Staying grounded in science

To achieve this, the Design for Recycling Guidelines ensure that products are designed to be recycled rather than discarded as waste. These guidelines, developed with third-party technical expertise, provide crucial guidance to producers on selecting materials that are compatible with existing recycling processes. By optimizing the recyclability of beverage cartons, these guidelines play a key role in advancing a circular economy.

While the PPWR mandates the assessment of recyclability through these guidelines, the FBCA insists that it is essential for the regulation to remain grounded in scientific evidence. The PPWR should not prematurely dictate what does or does not hinder recyclability; instead, it must consider economic, environmental, and technical realities. This approach will allow sustainable solutions like beverage cartons to continue delivering essential food and beverages to millions of people daily.

  Putting the PPWR in action

The FBCA urges the PPWR to implement measures that not only benefit society and the environment but also stimulate research and innovation within the packaging and recycling industries. Finalizing the PPWR’s formal adoption without delay is crucial, as it will enable the timely development of secondary legislation and will provide the needed legal certainty for industry investments. This will bring us closer to achieving a truly circular economy.

The FBCA looks forward to collaborating with the European Commission, offering industry expertise to develop technically sound Implementing and Delegated Acts that will define the methodologies needed to meet the regulation’s targets. The focus remains on adapting technology and packaging to meet the evolving needs of customers and society while maintaining the agility to respond to new challenges.

With this legislation in place, the FBCA is committed to continuing the delivery of low-carbon, circular packaging solutions that ensure the safe transport, storage, and long shelf life of sensitive and perishable products, such as milk and juice, across Europe and beyond.

Green Claims

The Food and beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) and its members Billerud, Elopak, SIG Combibloc, Stora Enso and Tetra Pak acknowledge and support the European Commission's efforts to promote sustainability and combat greenwashing through the proposed Green Claims Directive. The beverage carton industry has a long experience on diverse ESG topics such as life cycle studies following international standards and FBCA believes that a clear and transparent regulation is essential to foster trust and enable consumers to make informed choices.

Considering the possible implications of the proposed directive, FBCA would like to recommend the following:

  • Recognize the key role of existing international harmonized standards.
  • Ensure that the Directive encourages sustainable material choices.
  • Create legal certainty for the industry by clarifying the scope and terminology in the proposal.