On the 17th December, the EU Published Directive (EU) 2019/1994 which comes into effect from 3rd July 2021 and means that all single use cups including paper for coffee or cold drinks as well as plastic cups will have to include the harmonised labelling in the language of the country it is sold in.
The directive gives clarity on where the markings should be placed, the required sizes and the position of the product where the marking can and cannot be.
For Cups, there are two types of marking, PLASTIC IN PRODUCT and MADE OF PLASTIC.
The EU has confirmed that from 3rd July 2021 and 4th July 2022, you can use manually placed markings in line with the directive, allowing you exhaust stock produced before the legislation was confirmed. After 3rd July 2022 this will not be permitted.
Although the UK has officially left the EU, it is safe to say this will become UK legislation. Other products that are affected by the legislation include sanitary products, wet wipes, tobacco products and beverage cups.
For more information or if you require any assistance on any of the above, please email john@dtangle.co.uk
