Regulatory challenges discussed at Okplast seminar

Nearly 150 professionals from the plastics sector gathered in Valencia, Spain, over two days for the fifth edition of Okplast.

The International Seminar on Plastics Legislation is organized by Aimplas, the Plastics Technology Centre, a Spanish technological center that provides solutions to the plastics industry. The event featured contributions from 25 national and international experts who provided an in-depth analysis of the current and future regulatory landscape that will shape the industry's direction.

During the first day of the event, under the section focused on international legislative developments and trends, Juan Ruiz of Plastics Europe warned of the critical situation facing plastic production in Europe: aging infrastructure, rising energy costs and loss of competitiveness compared to other global regions. Ruiz pointed out the importance of the Global Plastics Treaty as a key tool for establishing common standards to enhance circularity and competitiveness in the sector.

Yael Roldán, representing EsPlásticos, highlighted its role in identifying regulatory threats and opportunities, supporting the transition towards a circular industry and voicing the sector’s position to regulatory bodies. 

From Aimplas, Ángela Martín reviewed the main European and national regulations impacting the sector, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the Single-Use Plastics Directive, the Ecodesign Regulation and the upcoming Greenwashing Directive. Paloma García (UNE) focused her presentation on new corporate sustainability requirements and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting while Óscar Hernández, representing the Spanish National Association of Plastics Recyclers (ANARPLA) and Almudena Bouza of TÜV Rheinland explored the criteria for end-of-waste status for thermoplastics.

In the section dedicated to the restriction of substances and REACH, Ángela Sánchez (REACH-CLP Portal) outlined the new REACH requirements for polymeric microparticles. María Lorenzo (Aimplas) discussed the impact of restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), whose presence in food packaging will be banned in 2026. Javier Arizmendi, from Zerya, addressed the presence of PFAS in plant protection products, their effects and alternative options. Lastly, Aimplas’ Cristina Furió covered microplastics and pellet regulation, noting that by 2029, the use of microplastics in products such as encapsulated fragrances will be prohibited.

To conclude the first day, in the session on ecodesign and new measures against greenwashing, José María Fernández from IHOBE presented findings from a European study showing that 53 percent of environmental claims are misleading.

Carmen Redondo from the Spanish Confederation of Consumer and User Cooperatives (HISPACOOP) stressed that, from 2026, greenwashing legislation will be tightened, with penalties of up to 100,000 euros for unsubstantiated claims. Regarding ecodesign, Sandra Ramos of Aimplas and Timoteo de la Fuente of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism discussed the Digital Product Passport, which will become mandatory from 2025 for all products marketed in the European Union.

On the second day, the session on packaging and packaging waste opened with Ángela Osma from Spanish Association of Plastics Manufacturers (ANAIP), who highlighted the ambitious waste reduction targets set out in the new European packaging regulation, alongside the essential requirements all packaging must meet. Osma emphasized the forthcoming labelling harmonization and pointed to the ban from 2029 or 2030 on products such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) tableware, protective film for luggage, EPS packaging chips and plastic rings.

From a legal perspective, María José Rovira of Ceca Magán Abogados explained how the traditional distinctions between European directives and regulations are becoming blurred. In Spain, implementation will involve a Royal Decree, currently in public consultation. Mar Guardiola of Andersen addressed recent developments regarding the tax on non-reusable plastic packaging, highlighting that despite formal complaints lodged in Brussels, the administrative and technical issues faced by businesses remain unresolved. Guardiola criticized the design of the tax, its administrative burden and questioned whether it is achieving its environmental purpose.

Esther Colino of Procircular urged packaging manufacturers to anticipate the industry’s paradigm shift, as they may soon bear direct responsibility for the management of packaging waste. Regarding labelling, she expressed optimism about the benefits of harmonization, particularly for exporters. On environmental claims, Colino pointed out that legislation will require any sustainability-related statement to refer to characteristics exceeding minimum legal requirements, and to clearly specify which part of the packaging is being referenced.

To conclude the seminar, the final session focused on plastic materials in contact with food.

Alessa Lübke, representing the Contact Sensitive & Food Contact Plastics Regulatory Expert Panel (CFREP) addressed the quality assurance requirements outlined in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, relevant to collection, sorting and pre-treatment processes for producing recycled plastics suitable for food contact. Henrik Jungclas of Food Chain ID presented the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s framework for the use of recycled plastics in food contact materials, while Koen Weel of The Coca-Cola Co. discussed the use of new technologies regarding food contact recycled plastic and the methodology followed by EFSA to assess food safety of these novel technologies.

From the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), Álvaro Rol explained the recent amendments to Regulation 10/2011 and current legislation on materials in contact with food, including the ban on Bisphenol A. Finally, Andrés Venturini from the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU) provided a Latin American perspective, outlining the current regulatory framework for food contact materials within Mercosur, a South American trade bloc.