If your business places packaging (e.g. packaged goods) on the market, understanding packaging types isn’t just good practice – it’s a legal requirement. At PRONEXA, we’re committed to helping our clients meet their compliance obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, offering a One-Stop-Shop solution. Let’s break down the key concepts around packaging, what needs to be declared, and how you can manage your data effectively.
What Is Packaging?
Packaging includes any material used to contain, protect, handle, deliver or present goods. From raw materials to finished products, packaging ensures safe transportation and display – from steel tins and plastic wrap to pallets and cardboard boxes. It even includes items like cups, food containers, sandwich bags or others filled at the point of sale (service packaging).
Understanding what qualifies as packaging is the first step to staying compliant and sustainable.
The Three Main Types of Packaging
1. Primary Packaging – The Sales Packaging
This is the packaging that is used to contain a single ‘unit of sale’ for customers. For a sales unit made up of multiple items, such as a multipack, primary packaging includes all the packaging on the items.
Example:
A product paperboard carton with a paper label, or the small plastic film or bag around individual product units or bundles of product units in a multipack.
2. Secondary Packaging – The Grouped Packaging
Used to group multiple sales units together for transportation or display.
Example:
A corrugated cardboard box that holds several units of product on a store or warehouse shelf.
3. Tertiary Packaging – The Transport Packaging
Tertiary or transport packaging grouping secondary packaging units together to protect them during transport or handling through the supply chain.
Example:
Shrink wrap, steel bands or plastic wrap tape, and wooden pallets used to move packaging units.
Types of Packaging Materials
If your company places packaged goods on the market, even internally or on behalf of another organization, you are likely responsible for reporting certain packaging types and materials.
Common materials to categorize and report include:
- Glass
- Paper/cardboard
- Plastic
- Ferrous metal
- Aluminium
- Wood
- Other and composite materials (e.g. textiles, ceramics, etc.)
Efficiently Managing Your Packaging Data
PRONEXA empowers businesses to take control of their packaging data through smart systems and collaborative solutions. If a company supplies packaging to the market and would like to entrust PRONEXA with the management of the packaging compliance, the following steps have to be taken:
- Records of packaging data must be kept.
- The quantities of packaging to be placed on the market per year must be calculated and estimated.
As a producer (any manufacturer, importer or distributor), you have various options to generate and manage your packaging data to comply with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This presents both challenges and opportunities – compliance will require investment, but companies that innovate early will gain a competitive advantage. Here´s how you can get there:
1. Internal Data Collection and Management
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems:
Many companies use ERP systems to track their goods movements. These systems can often be configured to also capture packaging data, such as material type, weight, and quantity. - Excel Spreadsheets:
For smaller companies or as a transitional solution, Excel spreadsheets can be used to manually capture and manage packaging data. However, it is important to ensure that the data is consistently and accurately recorded. - Specialized Packaging Software:
There are specialized software solutions tailored to managing packaging data. These solutions can automate data collection, analysis, and reporting.
2. Collaboration with Suppliers and Service Providers
- Supplier Information:
Request detailed information from your suppliers about the packaging they provide. This information can help you complete your own packaging data. - Consulting:
Businesses hire a consulting firm as PRONEXA that is specialized in national packaging law and requirements. These firms can assist you with packaging data collection, and data analysis. - Collective Schemes or PROs:
PROs often offer support with data collection and reporting. Utilize the resources and training provided by your dual system.
3. Technical Solutions
- Barcodes and RFID:
Use barcodes or RFID technology to automatically capture packaging data. This can improve the accuracy of data collection and reduce effort. - Digital Documentation:
Use digital documentation to capture and process the data.
Accuracy Is Everything
Compliance with packaging regulations means precision. Inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to issues with the Packaging Regulation and national legislations or acts such as penalties, delays, or reputational damage. That’s why we always recommend:
- Accuracy:
Ensuring the accurate collection and reporting of your packaging data - Documentation:
Keeping full documentation and audit trails - Automation:
Consider automating your data collection and reporting to reduce effort and improve accuracy
The Solution: PRONEXA® Customer Data Management Platform
Managing packaging compliance requirements may seem complex. With our PRONEXA® Customer Data Management Platform your able to report your packaging data centralised and simple in one platform. You can simplify allocate your packaging data for every PRO and in every country.
Learn more about the PRONEXA® CDM Platform on our website or contact us directly via our Quick Obligation Check.