EU's Revised Tissue Paper Ecolabel: 90% Fibre Minimum and New Chemical Restrictions

The EU Official Journal of 29 July 2009 carried the revised Ecolabel criteria that apply to tissue paper. The update was prompted by the need to keep pace with technological and market developments, and it both amends the definition of the product group and sets out new environmental criteria.

Under that definition, the "tissue paper" product group covers boxed and rolled tissue designed to maintain personal hygiene, absorb liquids and clean dirty surfaces. Such tissue is built from one or more plies of creped or embossed fibre paper, and fibre must account for no less than 90% of the product. Three categories sit outside the group:

Wet wipes and sanitary products;

Tissue products laminated with non-fibrous paper materials;

Products falling under the Cosmetics Directive (Directive 76/768/EEC).

The Ecolabel can be awarded to kitchen towels, paper hand towels, paper napkins and toilet paper, among other items. Securing it depends on meeting a set of requirements, including the following:

Materials must be chosen so that ecological damage is reduced, and natural resources must be drawn from sustainably managed forests. Fibres can be wood-based, recycled or non-wood. Virgin wood fibre has to originate in sustainably managed forests, and declarations, charters or certifications issued by operators or pulp mills should be produced as proof.

Where chemicals enter the production process, substances that harm the environment or human health should be avoided. Specifically:

Chlorine must not be used as a bleaching agent;

Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO) must not be used;

Azo substances must not be used;

Dyes and brightening agents must not leach out.

Manufacturing and chemical use must also cut water and air pollution, energy consumption and the impact of solid waste.

Consumers have to be given information explaining what the Ecolabel delivers and noting the low share of recycled fibre in the product.

Decision No. 2009/568/EC governs Ecolabel applications for tissue paper lodged after 9 July 2009 and stays in force until 9 July 2013. It permits parallel operation with the earlier Decision No. 2001/405/EC through a transitional period that ends when that decision expires on 4 January 2010. During the transition, applicants may file under either set of criteria — the old Decision No. 2001/405/EC or the new Decision No. 2009/568/EC.

—Reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn); original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-362270.html