ISO 18602:2013

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18602
First edition
2013-01-15
Packaging and the environment —
Optimization of the packaging system
Emballage et environnement — Optimisation du système d’emballage
Reference number
©
ISO 2013
© ISO 2013
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the
address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 3
4.1 Application . 3
4.2 Packaging assessment . 3
4.3 Demonstration that the requirements of this International Standard have been met . 4
5 Critical areas to assess when determining the achievable level for
packaging optimization . 4
Annex A (informative) Guidelines on the use of this International Standard for determining the
achievable level for packaging optimization . 5
Annex B (informative) Examples of the application of this International Standard using
the checklist .10
Annex C (informative) Assessment and minimization of substances or mixtures hazardous to
the environment .15
Bibliography .26
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 18602 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 122, Packaging, Subcommittee SC 4, Packaging
and environment.
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Packaging plays a critical role in almost every industry, every sector and every supply chain. Appropriate
packaging is essential to prevent loss of goods and, as a result, decrease impact on the environment.
Effective packaging makes a positive contribution towards achieving a sustainable society by, (e.g.):
a) meeting consumers’ needs and expectation for the protection of goods, safety, handling and information;
b) efficiently using resources and limiting environmental impact;
c) saving costs in the distribution and merchandising of goods.
An environmental assessment of packaging may include the manufacturing and distribution system,
the wastage of packaging material and goods, the relevant collection systems, as well as recovery or
disposal operations. This group of ISO standards and supporting reports provides a set of procedures
which aim to:
d) reduce environmental impact;
e) support innovation in products, packaging and the supply chain;
f) avoid undue restrictions on the use of packaging;
g) prevent barriers and restrictions to trade.
Packaging is designed to provide a number of functions for users and producers such as: containment,
protection, information, convenience, unitization, handling, delivery or presentation of goods. A major
role of packaging is prevention of damage to or loss of goods. (See ISO 18601, Annex A for a list of the
functions of packaging.)
ISO 18601 defines the interrelationships within the family of ISO standards which cover the environmental
impact of packaging throughout its life cycle (see Figure 1). These standards will help define whether
the selected packaging can be optimized and whether the packaging needs to be modified to ensure it
can be reused or recovered after use.
Demonstration that the requirements of these standards are met can be performed by a first party
(manufacturer or supplier), a second party (user or purchaser), or by the support of a third party
(independent body).
Public claims on the environmental attributes of packaging may be addressed by different methods.
Some of these are technical aspects on reuse or recovery, others relate to access by the population to
reuse or recovery systems or the amount of packaging placed on the market for recovery. This series
of standards addresses the technical aspects of the packaging. It does not address the requirements of
ISO 14021 needed to support a claim or label.
This International Standard does not use the term “and/or” but, instead, the term “or” is used as an
inclusive disjunction, meaning one or the other or both.
ISO 18601
Packaging and the environment - General
requirements for the use of ISO standards in
the ield of packaging and the environment
ISO 18602
Packaging and the environment - Optimization
of the packaging system
OPTIMIZE
Annex C
Assessment and minimization of substances or
mixtures hazardous to the environment
REUSE
ISO 18603
Packaging and the Reuse
Decision
environment - Reuse
End of functional life
RECOVERY
ISO 18604 ISO 18605 ISO 18606
Packaging and the Packaging and the Packaging and the
environment - environment - environment -
Material recycling Energy recovery Organic recycling
Figure 1 — Relationship of the Packaging and environment standards
vi © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Recovery
Negative
environmental
impact
Optimum Pack
Design
Minimum
environmental
impact
Underpackaging Overpackaging
Increasing
packaging material
Minimum material
weight or volume
[32]
Figure 2 — Packaging optimization
The model in Figure 2 illustrates how the environmental consquences of product losses caused by
excessive packaging reduction are far greater than guaranteeing adequate protection through an
incremental excess of packaging.
This International Standard presents a framework for self-assessment to determine whether the
requirements of this standard have been met. Its approach is similar to that of systems standards such
as the ISO 9000 series or an environmental management system such as ISO 14001.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18602:2013(E)
Packaging and the environment — Optimization of the
packaging system
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies requirements and a procedure for assessment of packaging to
ensure that the weight or volume of its material content is optimized consistent with the functions of
packaging. This is one of several options for reducing the impact of packaging on the environment.
This International Standard also provides methodologies and procedures for
a) determining the amount and minimization of substances or mixtures hazardous to the
environment, and
b) determining the amount of four heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium)
in packaging.
The potential for such substances to be released into the environment is included in the assessment. The
procedures are referenced in Annex C.
The process for packaging design, including material selection, is not part of this International Standard.
The purpose is to help ensure and demonstrate that the packaging efficiently uses the selected material.
NOTE 1 For the purposes of this International Standard, the substitution of one packaging material by another
is not a basis for packaging optimization.
NOTE 2 Packaging material optimization can include increasing the weight or volume of packaging in order to
reduce loss of goods.
The procedure for applying this International Standard is contained in ISO 18601.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 18601, Packaging and the environment — General requirements for the use of ISO standards in the field
of packaging and the environment
ISO 21067, Packaging — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 18601, ISO 21067 and the
following apply.
3.1
packaging optimization
process for the achievement of a minimum adequate weight or volume (source reduction) for meeting
the necessary requirements of primary or secondary or transport packaging, when performance and
user/consumer acceptability remain unchanged or adequate, thereby reducing the impact on the environment
3.2
critical area(s)
specific performance criterion/criteria which prevents further reduction of weight or volume without
endangering functional performance, safety, and user/consumer acceptability
3.3
supplier
entity responsible for placing packaging or packaged goods on the market
Note 1 to entry: The term “supplier” in normal usage can relate to various points in a supply chain. For the purpose
of this document it relates to any point in the supply chain where a transaction relating to packaging or packaged
goods takes place
[SOURCE: ISO 18601:2012, definition 3.22]
3.4
packaging component
part of packaging that can be separated by hand or by using simple physical means
[SOURCE: ISO 18601:2012, definition 3.11]
3.5
packaging constituent
part from which packaging or its components are made and which cannot be separated by hand or by
using simple physical means
[SOURCE: ISO 18601:2012, definition 3.12]
3.6
packaging system
complete set of packaging for a packaged good, encompassing one or more of the following that are
applicable (depending on the packaged goods): Primary packaging, Secondary packaging, Tertiary
(distribution or transport) packaging
3.7
substances
chemical elements and their compounds in the natural state or obtained by any production process,
including any additive necessary to preserve stability, and any impurity deriving from the production
process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the
substance or changing its composition
3.8
mixture
preparation or solutions composed of two or more substances
3.9
safety data sheet
documentation providing comprehensive information about a substance or mixture
Note 1 to entry: The UN Globally Harmonized System (3rd revised edition) — Part 1 and Annex 4 - requires that
documentation should be provided to users of the substance or mixtures and to contain the required information.
3.10
used packaging
packaging that has been used by the final consumer or end user and which is destined for reuse or recovery
3.11
packaging waste
packaging that has been used by the final consumer or end user and which is discarded for final disposal
and is not intended for reuse or recovery
2 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
...