Bsi bs en 13429 2004 (2009)

BRITISH STANDARD

BS EN
13429:2004

Packaging — Reuse

The European Standard EN 13429:2004 has the status of a
British Standard

ICS 13.030.50; 55.020

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Confirmed
June 2009


BS EN 13429:2004

National foreword
This British Standard is the official English language version of
EN 13429:2004. It supersedes BS EN 13429:2000 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee
PKW/4, Packaging and the environment, which has the responsibility to:
—

aid enquirers to understand the text;

—

present to the responsible European committee any enquiries on the
interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the UK interests
informed;

—

monitor related international and European developments and
promulgate them in the UK.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
Cross-references
The British Standards which implement international or European
publications referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Catalogue
under the section entitled “International Standards Correspondence Index”, or
by using the “Search” facility of the BSI Electronic Catalogue or of
British Standards Online.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page,
pages 2 to 20, an inside back cover and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.

Amendments issued since publication
This British Standard was

published under the authority
of the Standards Policy and
Strategy Committee on
6 August 2004
© BSI 6 August 2004

ISBN 0 580 44193 8

Amd. No.

Date

Comments


EUROPEAN STANDARD

EN 13429

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

July 2004

ICS 13.030.50; 55.020

Supersedes EN 13429:2000

English version

Packaging - Reuse
Emballage - Réutilisation

Verpackung - Wiederverwendung

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 5 May 2004.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36

© 2004 CEN

All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved
worldwide for CEN national Members.

B-1050 Brussels

Ref. No. EN 13429:2004: E

EN 13429:2004 (E)

Contents

Page

Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................4
1

Scope ......................................................................................................................................................5

2

Normative references ............................................................................................................................5

3

Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................5

4
4.1
4.2
4.3

Methodology...........................................................................................................................................7
Assessment – Enabling conditions .....................................................................................................7
Assessment confirmation .....................................................................................................................7

Background conditions.........................................................................................................................7

5
5.1
5.2
5.3

Requirements .........................................................................................................................................7
Initial conditions ....................................................................................................................................7
Verification procedure...........................................................................................................................8
Application .............................................................................................................................................8

6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4

Specification of reuse systems ............................................................................................................9
Types of system.....................................................................................................................................9
Criteria for a closed loop system (see Figure 1) ................................................................................9
Criteria for an open loop system (see Figure 2) ...............................................................................10
Criteria for a hybrid system (see Figure 3) .......................................................................................11

Annex A (informative) Reuse systems in the overall concept of material recycling................................13
A.1
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................13
A.2
Identification of flows in Figure A.1 ...................................................................................................13
Annex B (normative) Reconditioning system – essential elements...........................................................17

Annex C (normative) Assessment of conformity with this document .......................................................18
Annex ZA (Informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive (94/62/EC)..........................................................................................19
Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................................20

2


EN 13429:2004 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 13429:2004) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261 “Packaging”, the
secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by January 2005, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest
by January 2005.
This document supersedes EN 13429:2000.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European
Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
This standard forms one of a series of standards and reports prepared under Mandate M 200 rev.3 and the
Second Standardisation Mandate M317 given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade
Association to support the European Council and Parliament Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste
[94/62/EC]. The procedure for applying this standard in conjunction with the other mandated standards and reports
is specified in EN 13427.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard : Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

3


EN 13429:2004 (E)

Introduction
The Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) defines requirements specific to the reusable nature
of packaging. This document identifies and defines overall tests (see 5.2) to demonstrate that a packaging is in
compliance with these requirements.
The number of trips or rotations is addressed in prCEN/TR 14520 Packaging — Reuse — Methods for assessing
the performance of a reuse system.
NOTE
2004.

The Directive 94/62/EC is amended by European Parliament and Council Directive 2004/12/EC of 11 February

The European Standard EN 13427 provides a framework within which this and four other standards may be used
together to support a claim that a packaging is in compliance with the essential requirements for packaging to be
placed on the market as required by the Directive. EN 13429 is one of a series of six standards which address the
essential requirements of this directive. EN 13428 adresses quantitative and qualitative minimization. EN 13430,
EN 13431 and EN 13432 deal with the requirements specific to recoverable packaging which apply to reusable
packaging when it is no longer reused and thus becomes waste.
The titles of the other five parts of this series are:
EN 13427, Packaging — Requirements for the use of European Standards in the field of packaging and packaging
waste.
EN 13428, Packaging — Requirements specific to manufacturing and composition — Prevention by source
reduction.
EN 13430, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable by material recycling.
EN 13431, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable in the form of energy recovery, including
specification of minimum inferior calorific value.

EN 13432, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation — Test
scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging.
The purpose of packaging is the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of products. A major
role is prevention of product damage and/or product waste. In order to save resources and minimise waste, the
whole system in which the packaging takes part should be optimised.

4


EN 13429:2004 (E)

1

Scope

This document specifies the requirements for a packaging to be classified as reusable and sets out procedures for
assessment of conformity with those requirements including the associated systems.
This document cannot by itself provide presumption of conformity. The procedure for applying this document is
contained in EN 13427.

2

Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references,
only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
EN 13193, Packaging — Packaging and the environment — Terminology.
EN 13427, Packaging — Requirements for the use of European Standards in the field of packaging and packaging
waste.

EN 13430, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable by material recycling.
EN 13431, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable in the form of energy recovery, including
specification of minimum inferior calorific value.
EN 13432, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation — Test
scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging.

3

Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 13193 and EN 13427 and the following
apply.
3.1
reuse
operation by which packaging, which has been conceived and designed to accomplish within its life cycle a
minimum number of trips or rotations, is refilled or used for the same purpose for which it was conceived, with or
without the support of auxiliary products present on the market enabling the packaging to be refilled: such reused
packaging will become packaging waste when no longer subject to reuse
NOTE

Definition from Directive 94/62/EC.

3.2
reusable packaging
packaging or packaging component which has been conceived and designed to accomplish within its life cycle a
minimum number of trips or rotations in a system for reuse
3.3
trip
transfer of packaging, from filling/loading to emptying/unloading. A trip may be part of a rotation (See Annex A)
3.4

rotation
cycle undergone by reusable packaging from filling/loading to filling/loading. A rotation will always contain a trip
(See Annex A)

5


EN 13429:2004 (E)

3.5
packaging used for the same purpose
packaging which, having completed a rotation, is subsequently reused with the original intent, in a system for reuse
NOTE
Attention should be paid to the intended use and function of the packaging, in order to verify whether it is being
reused for the same purpose or a secondary use. In the latter case the packaging is not considered as reusable packaging for
the purpose of this document.
EXAMPLE 1
purpose.

Reuse of pallets, loaded originally with dairy products and now loaded with house bricks is reuse for the same

EXAMPLE 2

Reuse of jars containing mustard, after emptying, as drinking glasses is not reuse for the same purpose.

EXAMPLE 3
Reuse of jars originally containing commercially-made jam, after emptying, for refilling with home-made jam or
other substances is not reuse for the same purpose.

3.6

systems for reuse
arrangements (organizational, technical and/or financial) which ensures the possibility of reuse
NOTE
Within the Scope of this document the following are the “Systems” currently recognised (see Clause 6 for further
information):


closed loop system;



open loop system;



hybrid system.

3.7
closed loop system
system in which reusable packaging is circulated by a company or a co-operating group of companies
3.8
open loop system
system in which reusable packaging circulates amongst unspecified companies
3.9
hybrid system
system consisting of two parts:
a)

reusable packaging, remaining with the end user, for which there exists no redistribution system leading to
commercial refilling;

b)

one way packaging, used as an auxiliary product to transport the contents to the reusable packaging

3.10
auxiliary product
products used to support the refilling/loading of reusable packaging
NOTE 1

Auxiliary products are one way products and are therefore not covered by this document.

NOTE 2

An example of an auxiliary product is a detergent pouch used to refill a container at home.

NOTE 3
Non reusable items that support the reusable packaging in its function, such as labels or closures, are considered to
be part of that packaging.

3.11
reconditioning
operations necessary to restore a reusable packaging to a functional state

6


EN 13429:2004 (E)

4

4.1

Methodology
Assessment – Enabling conditions

The packer/filler shall ensure that the following enabling conditions are met in order to assess whether the
packaging is appropriate for a claim of ‘reusable’ in the circumstances of its intended use:
a)

that reusability of the packaging is a deliberate objective;

b)

that the design of the packaging enables the principal components to accomplish a number of trips or rotations
in normally predictable conditions of use;

NOTE
It is accepted that certain components, e.g. a sealable closure, may have to be discarded into the recovery stream
(See Annex B indent b)), but that such items will not constitute a significant proportion, by weight, of that packaging.

c)

that the packaging is capable of being successfully reconditioned in accordance with the requirements of
Annex B;

d)

that the packaging is capable of being refilled/reloaded;

e)

that an appropriate system, necessary to support reuse, is available in markets on to which the packer/filler is
responsible for placing the packed product.

4.2

Assessment confirmation

Written confirmation that the packer/ filler has completed this process shall be provided as part of the statement
required in Clause 5.

4.3

Background conditions

The overall requirements of reusable packaging are determined by a combination of the demands placed on the
packaging itself and the requirements of the reuse system in which it functions. In practice, this means that the
detailed requirements of ‘reusable’ packaging may change from one application to another. Furthermore, the
design process tends to be ongoing in response to operational experience in the reuse of the packaging concerned.
The demands for durability can mean that packaging intended for reuse may incorporate more material than that
intended for other uses.
To be fully effective the conformity assessment also requires documentary support and in particular the recording
of the results of the assessment process. This document requires that this be done in a formal way by a statement
recording the fulfilment of all the conditions identified as enabling reuse.
With regard to matters affecting the Health and Safety of persons employed in the reuse process, e.g. in
refurbishment or cleaning of packaging, existing legislation in all States of the European Union provides specific
and comprehensive requirements and it is not considered appropriate to develop separate requirements solely for
packaging.

5

5.1

Requirements
Initial conditions

For each packaging type placed on the market:
a)

the packer/filler shall obtain written confirmation that the packaging is capable of reuse for the application
intended in normally predictable conditions of use;

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EN 13429:2004 (E)

NOTE
This information may be obtained, for example, directly from the packaging supplier or by reference to an
established standard.

b)

the packer/filler shall obtain written confirmation of the trading/unloading/retailing companies' intention to place
the packaging into a reuse circuit when the packaging is unloaded;

c)

the packer/filler shall confirm and record, that an organized system exists to provide return facilities for
packaging that is emptied by consumers;

NOTE
This facility may be provided by a recognized organization (e.g. local authority) or commercial operator.
Documented practical experience from existing applications can be a valid source of supporting data.

d)

the packer/filler shall obtain confirmation that reconditioning systems are available for that packaging capable
of meeting the requirements of 5.2 f) below.

In the case of packaging intended for use as part of a hybrid system, only 5.1. a) applies.

5.2

Verification procedure

The packer/filler shall, for each of the packaging types that he places on the market and at the earliest practicable
stage, establish and record:
a)

his intention with regard to the reusability of the packaging, giving due consideration to the particular
circumstances in which reuse may occur;

b)

that the design of the packaging enables the principal components to accomplish a number of trips or rotations
in normally predictable conditions of use ;

c)

that the packaging can be emptied/unloaded without significant damage, beyond that which can be viably

repaired;

d)

that the packaging can be reconditioned according to Annex B (cleaned, washed, repaired) by whatever
method and to whatever level may be specified, whilst maintaining its ability to perform its intended function
and without risk to the health and safety of those responsible for doing so;

e)

that any reconditioning process within his control is managed in a manner that takes into account its impact on
the environment;

f)

that any reconditioning process meets the essential relevant elements for that packaging defined in Annex B;

g)

that the packaging can be refilled/reloaded without risk to the integrity of the product or to the health and safety
of those responsible for doing so;

h)

that a reuse system is available in those markets on to which the supplier is responsible for placing the packed
product, so as to make reuse possible;

i)

that the reuse system identified as appropriate, in the actual circumstances of use, comply with one of the

specifications from Clause 6.

Annex C (normative) identifies the required content for the recording of responses and declaring the overall result
of an assessment of conformity with this document. The tabular presentation of Annex C illustrates a recommended
format for its presentation.

5.3

Application

The application of this document to any particular packaging shall be as specified in EN 13427.

8


EN 13429:2004 (E)

6
6.1

Specification of reuse systems
Types of system

Three types of system are provided for within the terms of this document, as follows:


closed loop system

(6.2);



open loop system

(6.3);



hybrid system

(6.4).

The supplier shall identify the most appropriate for any particular packaging, taking into account the particular
circumstances of its intended use, and ensuring that all the criteria applicable to the identified system are met, as
follows.

6.2

Criteria for a closed loop system (see Figure 1)

a)

Reusable packaging is owned by a company or a co-operating group of companies;

b)

the packaging is circulated by a company or a co-operating group of companies;

c)

design of the packaging is fixed in accordance with a mutually acceptable specification;

d)

the packaging is used in accordance with mutually acceptable procedures;

e)

collection, reconditioning and redistribution systems are in place. Packaging materials no longer to be reused
and therefore removed from the system shall be recoverable in conformity with the requirements of one or
more of EN 13430, EN 13431 or EN 13432;

f)

the company is, or the group of companies are, obliged to take the reusable packaging back if it has been
used in accordance with the specification;

g)

the filler/packer/retailer provides information on how to treat and where to leave the packaging for the purpose
of reuse;

h)

a control system, ensuring that re-use is enabled, is in use based on the specification.

9


EN 13429:2004 (E)

Figure 1 — Closed loop system

6.3

Criteria for an open loop system (see Figure 2)

a)

the reusable packaging is owned by each user at the time the packaging is in his possession;

b)

design of the packaging is fixed in accordance with a generally accepted specification;

c)

the packaging is used in accordance with a specification agreed by the participants in the system;

d)

after reusable packaging is used by the emptier/user, they decide whether to reuse the packaging or to pass it
to a third party for reuse;

e)

redistribution systems are in use for that packaging and are generally available;

f)

the filler/packer/retailer provides information on how to treat and where to leave the packaging for the purpose
of reuse;

10


EN 13429:2004 (E)

g)

packaging materials no longer to be reused and therefore removed from the system shall be recoverable in
conformity with the requirements of one or more of EN 13430, EN 13431 or EN 13432;

h)

reconditioning can be undertaken by the emptier/user or is available on the market as part of the system and
meets the essential elements defined in Annex B.

Key
First rotation

Subsequent rotations

Figure 2 — Open loop system

6.4

Criteria for a hybrid system (see Figure 3)

a)

Reusable packaging stays with the end user and is refilled with the support of an auxiliary product;

b)

the reusable packaging is owned by the emptier;

c)

the emptier is the refiller;

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EN 13429:2004 (E)

d)

the reusable packaging is only placed on the market if the auxiliary product is readily available;

e)

the filler/packer/retailer provides information on how to refill the reusable packaging;

f)

the reusable packaging and the auxiliary product shall be recoverable in conformity with the requirements of
one or more of EN 13430, EN 13431 or EN 13432.

Figure 3 — Hybrid system

12


EN 13429:2004 (E)

Annex A
(informative)
Reuse systems in the overall concept of material recycling

A.1 Introduction
This Annex is intended to clarify the place of reuse systems within the overall concept of material recycling. For this
reason, it includes as Figure A.1 a representation of the material flows discussed in EN 13437, Packaging and
material recycling — Criteria for recycling methods — Description of recycling processes and flow chart. Figure A.2
is an enlarged segment of Figure A.1 depicting flows associated with Reuse.

A.2 Identification of flows in Figure A.1
a)

Primary raw material;

b)

recycled material from sources other than packaging;

c)

recycled material from packaging or scrap;

d)

production scrap;

f)

scrap from the processes fill/pack and distribution;

g)

waste from reconditioning (e.g. broken glass bottles);

h)

all packaging supplied for the first filling/packing:

h1) packaging supplied for single use;
h2) packaging designed for refill / reuse and supplied for the first filling/packaging;
j)

used packaging lost and not collected due to litter and/or other factors;

m) used packaging designed for refill/reuse leaving the refill/reuse loop for waste management (flows n to v)
(e. g. bottles designed for refill);
n)

material for other waste management than in flows p to t (e. g. disposal);

p)

material for incineration in plants without energy recovery;

q)

material for incineration in plants with energy recovery;

r)

inorganic material from incineration plants can be used for recycling;

s)

material for recycling (without organic recycling);

t)

material for organic recycling (composting or biomethanisation);

v) packaging returned after collection/sorting of used one way packaging in the refill/reuse loop and used again
(e.g. wooden crates);

13


EN 13429:2004 (E)

x)

material loss;

y)

material for applications other than packaging;

z)

recycled material for other applications (e. g. for automotive or building industry).

14


EN 13429:2004 (E)

Figure A.1 — Packaging and packaging material flows

15


EN 13429:2004 (E)

Key
g)
h2)

Packaging waste from reconditioning to material recycling
Packaging designed for refill/reuse and supplied for the first filling/packaging

j)
k)

Used packaging lost and not collected due to litter and/or other factors

Used and reconditioned packaging for filling/packaging again

m)
v)
x)

Used packaging designed for refill/reuse leaving the refill/reuse loop for waste management
Packaging returned after collection/sorting of used one way packaging in the refill/reuse loop and used again (e.g.
wooden crates)
Material loss

C/S

Collection/Sorting

NOTE 1

The size of flows do not correspond to the volumes of the flows.

NOTE 2

Losses may occur anywhere in the loop.

NOTE 3

This flow chart is an extract from EN 13437 and is introduced to clarify the terms “Trip” and “Rotation”.

Figure A.2 — Reuse process flow chart

16

EN 13429:2004 (E)

Annex B
(normative)
Reconditioning system – essential elements

A reconditioning system classified as appropriate to reusable packaging shall contain the relevant elements from
the list below, applied as appropriate to the packaging type and the use to which the packaging is put.
EXAMPLE

For packaging that is not repaired, step e) is omitted.

a)

Assessment of condition of packaging;

b)

removal of damaged or non-reusable components;

c)

removed components placed into recovery systems;

d)

cleaning and/or washing according to required conditions;

e)

repairing of packaging;

f)

inspection and assessment, of fitness-for-purpose;

g)

re-entry into reuse system.

NOTE 1

The cleaning/washing process can be applied at differing stages and can be repeated.

NOTE 2
The sequence of presentation of required elements above, although it has a generally relevant logic, need not
necessarily be the sequence of application.

17


EN 13429:2004 (E)

Annex C
(normative)
Assessment of conformity with this document
A claim of reusability may only be made when all the requirements below are met.
The availability of supporting references from relevant sources is a requirement of this document and a list of them

shall accompany any statement of conformity.
NOTE
The format of the presentation is a matter of example only and persons or organizations claiming compliance with
this document may, therefore, use alternative forms of presentation provided all the relevant information including that required
for traceability, is present.

Table C.1 — Example of statement of conformity
Packaging identification

Assessment reference

Identification of significant materials used
Enabling criteria

References and source

Taking into account the particular circumstances/location
of use, it is the intention that the packaging is to be
reused.
The design of the packaging enables the principal
components to accomplish a number of trips or rotations
in normally predictable conditions of use.
The packaging can be emptied/unloaded without
significant damage, beyond that which can be viably
repaired.
The packaging can be reconditioned according to
Annex B (cleaned, washed, repaired) by whatever
method and to whatever level may be specified, whilst
maintaining its ability to perform its intended function.
Any reconditioning process within the control of the

packer/filler is managed in a manner that takes into
account its impact on the environment.
A reconditioning process is available and is applicable to
reusable packaging, incorporating all essential elements
listed in Annex B of this document.
The packaging can be refilled/reloaded without risk to the
integrity of the product or to the health and safety of
those responsible for doing so
In the circumstances and locations of intended use, the
arrangements (organisational, technical, financial) are in
place and available to make reuse possible.
The reuse system identified as appropriate, in the actual
circumstances of use, complies with one of the
specifications from Clause 6.

In the light of the responses recorded above, this packaging is deemed to be reusable within the terms of
EN 13429:2003.
Name and address of Packer/filler
Signature

18

Date