The landscape of excise duty on non-reusable plastic packaging is about to change. From 1 January 2024 it will no longer be possible to credit the amount of recycled plastic in products to the excise duty by means of a responsible declaration signed by the manufacturer. The way to certify this will be subject to more stringent regulations under the UNE-EN 15343:2008 standard or its equivalents.
Operinter, as an international logistics operator, complies with the new regulations by preparing all its customs departments. This involves a thorough verification of the products affected by the special tax on non-reusable plastic packaging, as well as the collection of relevant information to certify the use of recycled plastic according to the guidelines set out in the current regulations.
Requirements and applications
Certification bodies must meet precise requirements. They must be recognised by the National Accreditation Body (ENAC) or by the accreditation body of a member state of the European Union. In addition, for products manufactured outside the EU, validation by an internationally recognised ENAC body is required.
The tax regulation covers a range of products including non-reusable packaging with plastic, semi-finished plastic products intended for the manufacture of such packaging, and products with plastic for the closure, marketing or presentation of non-reusable packaging. The taxable amount will be calculated according to the amount of non-recycled plastic in kilograms in the products subject to the tax. Therefore proper certification of the amount of recycled plastic becomes essential to avoid additional charges.
Towards a more rigorous system
The regulation that will apply from 2024 onwards implies a transition to a more stringent certification system. This measure aims to ensure traceability and compliance of recycled plastic with specific standards.
Operinter, an integrated logistics operator, has shown a growing interest and awareness of the environmental impact of the materials used in the logistics chain. Its commitment to sustainable practices is reflected in the active search for greener transport solutions and the implementation of measures to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations.