Pursuant to Article 12(9) of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), new rules have been introduced to harmonize the labeling of packaging placed on the European market. This measure aims to ensure clearer, more consistent, and uniform communication to consumers across all European Union Member States.
Under the new regulatory framework, labels, marks, or symbols that could mislead consumers regarding the environmental characteristics, sustainability, or final destination of packaging are no longer permitted. Among the symbols covered by this provision is the well-known Green Dot.
Although the Green Dot indicates a producer’s participation in a packaging management system, its presence on the packaging does not guarantee that the packaging is recyclable or that it contains recycled material. The use of this symbol may therefore lead to misinterpretations by consumers and compromise the transparency of companies’ environmental communications.
In this context, all economic operators using the Green Dot symbol must remove it from their packaging by February 12, 2027. As of that date, packaging bearing this symbol may no longer be placed on the market, thereby ensuring compliance with the new requirements set forth in the PPWR.
CTIC recommends that companies begin reviewing their packaging materials and labeling processes in a timely manner to ensure compliance with European legislation and avoid obstacles to placing products on the market.