Reporting of packaging data will change next year

The reporting of packaging data will change at the beginning of 2021 when companies submit their 2020 packaging data to Rinki. Rinki will publish the updated reporting instructions at the end of September and will hold a training session on the changes in October. The training may be conducted entirely online and saved for later viewing.

This is how the reporting will change

Four changes to the reporting of packaging data in 2021:

1. Consumer packaging and B2B packaging

In the future, all packaging will be reported as either consumer packaging or B2B packaging.

Consumer packaging refers to primary packaging, grouped packaging and transport packaging intended for consumer use.

Consumer packaging refers to primary packaging, grouped packaging and transport packaging intended for consumer use.

According to the guidelines by the supervising authority for producer responsibility, the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre, consumer packaging includes packaging suitable for consumer use, even if it is sold to companies. These are typically different types of food packaging that can be sold not only to households but also to restaurant and service companies.

2. Packaging composed of multiple materials

Composite packaging refers to packaging made from several materials which cannot be separated by hand, such as cartons for liquids and various types of packaging made of laminate materials.

In the future, the different materials in composite packaging must be reported separately if they account for more than 5% of the weight of the packaging. The materials to be reported separately are: paper fibres, plastic, aluminium, ferrous metal, glass, wood and other materials. Other materials include filler materials such as minerals which can be used in plastic packaging. Different types of plastic will not need to be reported separately when reporting packaging data for 2020.

A single material does not need to be itemised in the report if it accounts for less than 5% of the weight of the packaging. In this case, the material in question is included in the main material.

3. Reuse

 The volumes of single-use and reusable packaging placed on the market will be reported separately, i.e. the first use of reusable packaging will be reported in a separate column in the future.

4. Exported packaging will no longer be reported

Reporting will be made easier for exported packaging as this type of product will no longer need to be reported at all next year, nor will exports to the Åland Islands be reported.

The changes follow the amendments to the EU Waste Directive

Amendments to the Waste Directive adopted in the EU in 2018 and the accompanying regulations will tighten the recycling targets for packaging waste and clarify the calculation of the volumes recycled. The regulations will also affect the way companies report their packaging data to Rinki every year. The Member States will be required to submit their 2020 packaging data to the EU in accordance with the new rules in 2021.

Read more: Advance notice: Reporting of packaging data will change in 2021