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How should the packaging product data sheet from the packaging manufacturer be read?

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Why a Proper Understanding of Packaging Data Is Becoming Mandatory

The Product Data Sheet – Key to PPWR Compliance

With the entry into force of the new EU regulation PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), pressure on companies is increasing to provide detailed and reliable information about their packaging. At the center of this requirement is the product data sheet issued by the packaging manufacturer.
It contains the most important technical and regulatory information – yet many of these details are technically complex and not standardized.

Misinterpreting or incompletely evaluating this document can result in compliance violations, fines, product returns, or even market access restrictions.

What Must a Product Data Sheet Contain?

A complete product data sheet should include, among other things, the following information:

  • Material type (e.g. PP, PET, PE, glass, cardboard)
  • Material structure (for composites, e.g. PET/ALU/PE)
  • Packaging weight, broken down by components
  • Recycled content (post-consumer or pre-consumer?)
  • Recyclability (tested according to which standard?)
  • Labeling requirements (e.g. symbols, codes)
  • Additives or coatings used
  • Food contact compliance (approved for direct contact?)
  • Reusability (yes/no, how many cycles tested?)

This information is mandatory to meet PPWR requirements. Missing data can make it impossible to prove circularity or material origin – with potential legal consequences.

Typical Technical Terms – and What They Really Mean

Many data sheets contain terminology that is difficult to interpret. A selection:

  • Mono-material: Packaging made from a single material type – crucial for recyclability.
  • Multilayer: Multi-layer structure, often difficult to recycle.
  • Post-consumer recycled content (PCR): Recycled material derived from consumer waste – preferred under regulatory frameworks.
  • Design for Recycling: Packaging design aligned with recycling standards (e.g. CEFLEX or RecyClass).
  • Inertization: A process used to stabilize problematic additives – often relevant in thermal recovery scenarios.

Are All Product Data Sheets the Same? No.

Each manufacturer uses its own format. Some provide only a brief overview, while others deliver extensive technical documentation. This lack of standardization makes comparisons difficult and often requires internal harmonization, for example through supplier questionnaires or standardized validation checklists.

What Should Companies Pay Particular Attention To?

  1. Consistency: Do the data sheet and product labeling match?
  2. Currency: Is the most recent version of the data sheet available? Standards change rapidly.
  3. Verifiability: Are claims regarding recyclability or recycled content supported by test reports or certificates?
  4. Clarity: Can procurement and legal teams interpret the information without ambiguity?

Conclusion: Technical Data Is No Longer a Side Issue

Product data sheets are becoming a legal safeguard. They directly influence market access, customer trust, and sustainable growth. Companies that are able to read, validate, and assess them secure their supply chains – and protect themselves from unnecessary regulatory risks.