To promulgate Vietnam Ecolabel criteria for environmentally friendly plastic packaging in Vietnam

To promulgate Vietnam Ecolabel criteria for environmentally friendly plastic packaging

The Vietnam Ecolabel criteria for environmentally friendly plastic packaging will have the following contents:

- For general criteria: products are manufactured at production and business establishments that comply with the law on environmental protection and other relevant laws.

- For specific criteria:

(i) Regarding raw materials, materials, and fuel:

- Raw materials and materials for packaging production are derived from bioplastic materials (for biodegradable plastic packaging) or cleaned recycled PE and PP plastic (for recycled plastic packaging), and additives do not contain ingredients and substances on Vietnam's list of prohibited imports and uses.

- Do not use inks, dyes, pigments, or other additives according to environmental and health-safety regulations on packaging production.

(ii) Regarding technical characteristics and allowable limits of pollution parameters in the product:

- Products ensure quality according to national standards or equivalent international standards (if any).

- For biodegradable plastic packaging: the biodegradation rate of the packaging is at least 90% within 02 (two) years in the natural environment, compost, or in a solid waste landfill.

- For recycled plastic packaging: at least 20% of packaging materials are from recycled plastic, with a thickness of 50 μm or more and a minimum size of 50 cm or more on each side.

- The maximum allowable content of heavy metals, non-metals, and fluorine specified in the packaging is as follows: Arsenic (As): 5 mg/kg; Cadmium (Cd): 0.5 mg/kg; Lead (Pb): 50 mg/kg; Copper (Cu): 50 mg/kg; Zinc (Zn): 150 mg/kg; Mercury (Hg): 0.5 mg/kg; Nickel (Ni): 25 mg/kg; Chromium (Cr): 50 mg/kg; Molybdenum (Mo): 1 mg/kg; Selenium (Se): 0.75 mg/kg; Fluorine (F): 100 mg/kg.

- Testing methods to determine the parameters specified in points b, c and d above are carried out according to national standards (TCVN) such as: TCVN 11318, TCVN 11319, TCVN 11797, TCVN 11798, TCVN 9493, TCVN 13114, TCVN 10100, TCVN 10101; or international standards such as: ISO 14851, ISO 14852, ISO 14855, ISO 17088; US standard ASTM 6400; European standard EN 13432; Australian standard AS 4736; or equivalent national and international standards.

Testing is conducted by accredited testing laboratories according to TCVN ISO/IEC 17025 for test methods to determine the respective parameters.

In case of registration of multiple product brands using the same type and mixing ratio of raw materials with the same production technology, testing can be performed on representative products.

(iii) Regarding recovery, recycling, treatment, and disposal

Plan to recover and recycle used packaging; information about the address of the recycling facility; recovery, recycling, and disposal processes; recycling technology; solutions for recovery, recycling, treatment, and disposal of used packaging; and environmental protection solutions that comply with the provisions of law.

Decision 3257/QD-BTNMT takes effect on November 7, 2023.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE