Page 128 - FoodFocusThailand No.210 SEPTEMBER 2023

STRENGTHEN THE PACKAGING

packaging (one-way packaging) and flexible plastic rPET materials because operators can account for the origin
packaging. Additionally, the introduction of global warming of the used plastic bottles, combined with the fact that no
policies has also been applied to the packaging business as contaminants are detected that may cause harm to
well. consumers as well. And most recently, the Food and Drug
Basic packaging standard requirements must be based Administration (FDA) has approved using rPET material in
on food safety to prevent the deterioration of food quality. Thailand. However, entrepreneurs must still buy rPET
From awareness and global warming campaigns, material from producers authorized by the FDA first. In
entrepreneurs must consider whether the processes in their Thailand, there is still an absence of solid campaigning to
supply chain are creating an impact on the environment or extensively use rPET, as in other countries, including
not. It is an undeniable fact that the packaging industry plays consumers’ unawareness of using rPET materials.
a key role in causing environmental issues. Therefore, a 2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
policy has been issued for packaging, which must go through Suppose an entrepreneur intends to send goods to EU
a recycling and upcycling process, as well as the use of member countries. In that case, they must be aware of the
biodegradable packaging. meaning of “Producer”, or the product owner, including the
manufacturer or the importer. When the EU Green Deal was
European Green Deal: Transition the EU announced, the producer was expected to be responsible
Economy to a Sustainable Economic Model for the product throughout its lifetime. For example, Thailand
European Union (EU) countries have issued measures or exports ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat food to the EU, and
regulations that help slow global warming and solve its responsibilities towards the product life cycle right up to
environmental problems, such as the Green Reform Plan the packaging that the consumers use in which it must be
and the EU’s tax measures (European Green Deal). These disposed of by appropriate methods that do not present a
measures were introduced before the COVID-19 pandemic; burden and responsibility of the locale. This includes recycling
however, they have become more stringent since the or disposal, depending on local management procedures.
pandemic has subsided. Some entrepreneurs may interpret There may be additional costs associated with the disposal
these requirements as a non-tariff trade barrier from the of such packaging waste.
European Union. 3. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
On the other hand, some entrepreneurs considered these Concerns measure to adjust the carbon pricing before
measures can contribute towards protecting consumers, crossing EU borders which were recently introduced to set
while simultaneously protecting and preserving the the import price of certain commodities in order to prevent
environment for high purchasing power EU importing the import of goods with high greenhouse gas emissions
countries, which influence to negotiate on quantity and (Green House Gas; GHG). The regulation requires that
quality. During the initial stage, the manufacturing cost of imported goods into the EU submit a greenhouse gas
recyclable packaging may still be higher than non-recyclable emission report. However, this is currently still in the
materials packaging. When the ecosystem is adopted, it will “transition period” as data needs to be consolidated and
ultimately reduce the cost and price of green packaging to measures tested to ensure a smooth implementation. During
be close to that of non-recyclable packaging. this transition period, importers must report the amount of
greenhouse gas emissions without paying for the CBAM
Examples of Packaging Measurements for EU Certificate (Figure 2). The United States has a mechanism
Exporting called the Clean Competition Act (CCA), or the US Carbon
1. Post-Consumer Recycle (PCR) Tax. This measure covers more items than CBAM
Plastic packaging constitutes the most plastic waste, i.e., (Figure 3), and more items or product categories will be
up to 70% of non-recyclable waste. Disposing of these wastes added accordingly. The packaging category is one of the
is to deposit them in landfills or through incineration only, categories currently under consideration.
especially multilayer flexible packaging (MFP) mainly used Thai businesses interested in exporting food products to
for snacks due to its property in preventing the penetration the European market are advised to accelerate the adaptation
of water vapor and oxygen. Therefore, new management and development of products to meet the needs of
practices to reduce plastic waste are to re-utilize this used consumers. It must build consumer confidence in food safety
plastic to produce new packaging in plastic bottles or bags. and produce products that have a low impact on the
The EU has already enforced this requirement, and large environment, help prevent an increase in packaging waste,
operators have also started to apply this regulation (see and ensure that all packaging is recyclable by 2030 to comply
Figure 1). Thailand has not been able to enforce the PCR with EU food regulations.
measures extensively throughout the industry due to the
inefficient management of plastic waste sorting.
For example, drinking water bottles made from PET
plastic abroad must use 35% PCR material; 35% of the
reused PET must be mixed and recycled into new bottles. If
the PCR material constitutes up to 50 percent of the bottle, More Information Service Info C019
it will be known as rPET. Foreign countries allow the use of

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