In response to the growing demand for incorporating recycled materials in packaging, ELIPSO and FEBEA have collaborated to develop a guidance document, aimed at helping integrate the use of post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR) in cosmetics packaging.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Guidance Document: Recycled Plastics in Cosmetics Packaging
This Guidance Document, published on March 8, 2024, offers a detailed framework that is meant to assist manufacturers face technical and regulatory challenges linked with the use of recycled plastics. Guidelines include the existing general regulatory framework regarding recycled plastic materials, the different tests required to approve a recycled material for cosmetic packaging, along with methods for monitoring the stability of recycling process. The approach for cosmetic materials is similar to food contact materials and details are provided regarding migration testing, surface to volume ratio (s/v ratio) and migration contact conditions. Non-intentionally-added substances (NIAS) are on the spotlight, as by-products and contaminations are a usual phenomenon in plastic recycled materials (PCR).
Eco-design and Regulatory Framework
The integration of recycled plastics is a crucial part of the eco-design approach, aligning with the principles of circular economy, the European Green Deal and the European Packaging Wast Regulation (PPWR), which is at the gates.
However, even if this document provides valuable insights and recommendations for manufacturers, it does not serve as a legal interpretation of existing regulations nor does it relieve companies of their responsibility to comply with these regulations.
Ensuring Safety
The guidelines outline the requirements for ensuring the safety of recycled plastics. Additionally, it refers to Annex I of the Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009), which mandates that packaging materials must be evaluated for purity, stability, and the potential presence of prohibited substances. These evaluations are crucial for the safety assessment of cosmetic products.
Conclusion
Overall, the guidance document is a practical tool designed to assist companies incorporate recycled plastics into their cosmetics packaging while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. For more information, you can access the full guidelines document on the ELIPSO website here.
