New EU packaging requirements: Is your labelling ready?

What information may need to appear on the packaging?

Packaging must be traceable to the responsible manufacturer or importer.

Depending on the specific requirements, this may include information such as:

  • the manufacturer’s name or trademark
  • contact information
  • a type, batch or serial number

The information must be clear, legible and durable.

Many manufacturers already work with batch numbers, dates, barcodes and other variable information. In many cases, it is therefore not about replacing the entire labelling process, but making sure the existing solution can handle the required information.

Chocolate with barcode and batchnumber
Batchnumbers

What if the packaging or material changes?

PPWR may also lead to changes in packaging materials and packaging design.

When the packaging changes, the marking should be tested as well.

A different material or surface can affect:

  • print quality
  • contrast and readability
  • label adhesion
  • laser marking
  • durability of the marking

A solution that works well on one packaging material may not perform in the same way on another.

Can your production line handle new information requirements?

New requirements may also mean that additional or different information needs to be handled during production.

This makes it important to look at the entire process, from data to finished marking.

It may be relevant to consider:

  • where the information comes from
  • how it is transferred to the marking equipment
  • how the risk of errors is reduced
  • whether variable information can be handled automatically

Software and integration can therefore be just as important as the marking equipment itself.

Pasta packing with barcode
HM Systems Headquarter

How can we at HM Systems help?

You do not have to work out on your own how new requirements should be translated into a practical solution on the production line.

Once you have established which information needs to appear on your packaging, we at HM Systems can help you find the right way to apply it.

We work with solutions including:

We can also help assess whether your current solution can be adapted, or whether changes in packaging, data or production require a different approach.

A labelling or marking solution alone cannot ensure full compliance with PPWR. However, we can help with the practical part and make sure the required information is applied clearly, reliably and efficiently in production.

Get in touch

Data storage
CSO Sten Krag-Hansen