Japan’s 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.
Table of Contents
Certification Standards: Government Push Toward Circular Economy
These standards are an extension of Japan’s Design Guidelines for Plastic-Containing Products and are a key step in supporting the nation’s 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 Japan’s Green Purchasing Law, including eligibility for promotional opportunities and potential support for recycling infrastructure.
PET Beverage Bottles: Stricter Material Rules
The guidelines place heavy emphasis on PET beverage bottles, with requirements varying depending on use.
- Aseptic bottles must be composed entirely of PET, unless alternative materials are proven safe, hygienic, and recyclable.
- Labels and caps cannot contain PVC, while aluminium use is also prohibited in closures.
- Pressure-resistant bottles 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.
- Heat- and pressure-resistant bottles 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.
- Heat-resistant bottles are restricted to minimal printing, limited to essential product information such as expiry dates and manufacturer codes.
Cleaning Product Packaging: Refillability and Material Restrictions
For household cleaning products, packaging must support reuse and refill systems. Restrictions include:
- No use of PVC, PVDC, organic chlorine compounds, aluminium foil, ceramics, glass, or aerosols.
- Mixed materials like plastic-paper or plastic-wood composites are not permitted.
- Containers must consist of a single plastic type – PET, PP, PE, or PS. If non-plastic elements are included, they must be separable by material.
Sustainability thresholds have also been set:
- Depending on product type, 10-25% of total container weight must be derived from pre-consumer recycled plastic, post-consumer recycled plastic, or biomass plastic.
- Refill packs made from mono-material plastic films must keep barrier layers below 5 % of overall weight.
- Laminated plastic film packs must contain at least 10 % recycled or biomass plastic by weight.
Cosmetics Packaging: High Recycled Content Demands
Household cosmetics packaging, including shampoo, conditioners, and soaps, is also subject to the new standards.
- Refillable containers (excluding pumps, caps, and dispensers) must be made solely from PET, PE, or PP compliant with food and additive safety requirements.
- Accessories like spouts and pumps must be detachable.
- PE and PP containers must be white or uncolored, with a density under 0.97 g/cm³. PET containers must also remain uncolored, though exceptions apply to accessories.
- Printing on packaging is largely prohibited, with laser marking allowed as an alternative.
- Depending on product size, recycled content requirements can reach up to 60 %, setting one of the most ambitious benchmarks for cosmetics packaging worldwide.
Conclusion
Japan’s 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.
