Packaging and Packaging Waste
EU Directive 94/62/EC of December 20, 1994 on packaging and packaging waste has been in place and legislation exists. Because of RoHS and WEEE, this directive is now getting much more attention. The Directive urges producers to design packaging that is easy to recycle and creates less waste. The directive also limits the amount of hazardous substances that packaging can contain. The substances are lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium.

Many of our customers have started including this in their requirements because anything sent to the EU will be recycled.

The EU doesn't have a monopoly on this requirement. Since 2004, 19 states have also passed legislation to regulate toxics in packaging. Good information can be obtained from the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) . This organization was formed in 1992 to promote the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation. This model legislation was originally drafted by the Source Reduction Council of CONEG in 1989, and was developed to reduce the amount of heavy metals in packaging and packaging components that are sold or distributed in the United States.

Mouser is currently contacting it's suppliers to obtain certifications indicating their packaging compliance with the EU Directive. We are also contacting our own suppliers of packaging materials.

Directives
94/62/EC of December 20, 1994 on packaging and packaging waste.

2004/12/EC of February 11, 2004 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.