{"id":9950,"date":"2025-09-22T09:22:33","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T06:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T09:25:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T06:25:48","slug":"new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics\/","title":{"rendered":"New Japan Certification Standards for PET Bottles, Cleaning and Cosmetics Packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan\u2019s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has unveiled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/press\/2025\/07\/20250724001\/20250724001.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">new certification standards<\/a> for beverage bottles, cleaning product containers, and cosmetics packaging. The criteria, effective from <strong>24 January 2026<\/strong>, aim to cut down material use, encourage higher recycled content, and simplify recyclability processes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics\/#Certification_Standards_Government_Push_Toward_Circular_Economy\" >Certification Standards: Government Push Toward Circular Economy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics\/#PET_Beverage_Bottles_Stricter_Material_Rules\" >PET Beverage Bottles: Stricter Material Rules<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics\/#Cleaning_Product_Packaging_Refillability_and_Material_Restrictions\" >Cleaning Product Packaging: Refillability and Material Restrictions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics\/#Cosmetics_Packaging_High_Recycled_Content_Demands\" >Cosmetics Packaging: High Recycled Content Demands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/new-japan-certification-standards-pet-cosmetics\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Certification_Standards_Government_Push_Toward_Circular_Economy\"><\/span><strong>Certification Standards: Government Push Toward Circular Economy<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">These standards are an extension of Japan\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/plastic-circulation.env.go.jp\/about\/pro\/seido\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>Design Guidelines for Plastic-Containing Products<\/strong><\/a> and are a key step in supporting the nation\u2019s transition to a circular economy. Companies that comply with the new standards will need to undergo assessments and provide data to secure certification. Once certified, products may benefit under <strong>Japan\u2019s Green Purchasing Law<\/strong>, including eligibility for promotional opportunities and potential support for recycling infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PET_Beverage_Bottles_Stricter_Material_Rules\"><\/span><strong>PET Beverage Bottles: Stricter Material Rules<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The guidelines place heavy emphasis on <strong>PET beverage bottles<\/strong>, with requirements varying depending on use.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><strong>Aseptic bottles<\/strong> must be composed entirely of PET, unless alternative materials are proven safe, hygienic, and recyclable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Labels and caps<\/strong> cannot contain PVC, while aluminium use is also prohibited in closures.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pressure-resistant bottles<\/strong> must not be colored, and their labels must detach easily during recycling processes like washing or air classification. Caps must be made of PE or PP with a density below 1.0.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Heat- and pressure-resistant bottles<\/strong> require handles made of uncolored PET, PE, or PP with specific gravity under 1.0. Printing inks must not adhere to bottles, and clear removal instructions must be displayed when non-standard materials like glass marbles are used.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Heat-resistant bottles<\/strong> are restricted to minimal printing, limited to essential product information such as expiry dates and manufacturer codes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-9946\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_collection-of-various-reusable-cosmetic-containers-arranged_50683438-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"New Japan Certification Standards for PET Bottles, Cleaning and Cosmetics Packaging\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_collection-of-various-reusable-cosmetic-containers-arranged_50683438-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_collection-of-various-reusable-cosmetic-containers-arranged_50683438-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_collection-of-various-reusable-cosmetic-containers-arranged_50683438-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_collection-of-various-reusable-cosmetic-containers-arranged_50683438-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_collection-of-various-reusable-cosmetic-containers-arranged_50683438-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cleaning_Product_Packaging_Refillability_and_Material_Restrictions\"><\/span><strong>Cleaning Product Packaging: Refillability and Material Restrictions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For <strong>household cleaning products<\/strong>, packaging must support reuse and refill systems. Restrictions include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><strong>No use<\/strong> of PVC, PVDC, organic chlorine compounds, aluminium foil, ceramics, glass, or aerosols.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mixed materials<\/strong> like plastic-paper or plastic-wood composites are <strong>not permitted<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Containers must consist of a single plastic type <\/strong>&#8211; PET, PP, PE, or PS. If non-plastic elements are included, they must be separable by material.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Sustainability thresholds<\/strong> have also been set:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Depending on product type, <strong>10-25% of total container weight<\/strong> must be derived from pre-consumer recycled plastic, post-consumer recycled plastic, or biomass plastic.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Refill packs<\/strong> made from mono-material plastic films must keep barrier layers <strong>below 5 % of overall weight<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Laminated plastic film packs<\/strong> must contain at least <strong>10 % recycled or biomass plastic<\/strong> by weight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cosmetics_Packaging_High_Recycled_Content_Demands\"><\/span><strong>Cosmetics Packaging: High Recycled Content Demands<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Household cosmetics packaging, including <strong>shampoo, conditioners, and soaps<\/strong>, is also subject to the new standards.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><strong>Refillable containers <\/strong>(excluding pumps, caps, and dispensers) must be made solely from<strong> PET, PE, or PP<\/strong> compliant with food and additive safety requirements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accessories<\/strong> like spouts and pumps must be <strong>detachable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>PE and PP containers<\/strong> <strong>must be white or uncolored<\/strong>, with a density under 0.97 g\/cm\u00b3. PET containers must also remain uncolored, though exceptions apply to accessories.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Printing on packaging is largely prohibited<\/strong>, with <strong>laser marking<\/strong> allowed as an alternative.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Depending on product size, recycled content requirements can reach<\/strong> <strong>up to 60 %<\/strong>, setting one of the most ambitious benchmarks for cosmetics packaging worldwide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Japan\u2019s new certification criteria represent a significant policy shift toward sustainable packaging practices. By enforcing stricter material use, encouraging refillable formats and mandating high levels of recycled content, the guidelines are expected to drive innovation in material design, recycling processes, and supply chain practices, while also placing pressure on businesses to adapt ahead of the 2026 enforcement date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Japan\u2019s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has unveiled new certification standards for beverage bottles, cleaning product containers, and cosmetics packaging. The criteria, effective from 24 January 2026, aim to cut down material use, encourage higher recycled content, and simplify recyclability processes. &nbsp; Certification Standards: Government Push Toward Circular Economy These standards are an&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9952,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,545,540],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","category-packaging-legislation-en","category-regulations-policy-en","category-28","category-545","category-540","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9950"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9953,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9950\/revisions\/9953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}