FCM&A
(Food Contact Material & Articles Regulation)

Description: Food Contact Material & Articles (FCM&A), such as packaging, containers or tableware, can transfer their constituents to food, which can affect chemical safety and quality (taste, odour, appearance). The EU legislation on FCM&A aims to address this by assessing the safety of different substances used in the manufacture of FCM&A. The European Commission recently adopted a ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenol derivatives in FCM&A. For most products there will be an 18-month transition period. The transition period has been set to 36 months for varnishes, coatings and professional production equipment.

Supported by a dashboard, Paardekooper proactively monitors and controls Documents of Compliance for all food contact materials to ensure the safety of food contact materials.

GPSR
(General Product Safety Regulation)

Description: The purpose of the GPSR is to safeguard the health and safety of consumers and to ensure consumers have adequate means to enforce their right to health and safety. This is achieved by laying down rules for the safety of consumer products placed or made available on the EU market. The measures under the GPSR have been in effect since 13 December 2024.

By keeping track of all product data, Paardekooper can provide for this.

CBAM
(Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)

Description: The CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) is the EU’s tool to ‘set a fair price for the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries,’ A transition phase will run from 2023-2026, during which only reporting obligations will apply. From 2026, a permanent system will come into effect where financial payments must be made.

Paardekooper is already reporting the required data in preparation for the actual entry into force.

CSDDD
(Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive)

Description: The CSDDD aims to promote sustainable and responsible business practices in corporate value chains. This is achieved by imposing obligations on companies covered by the Directive to conduct environmental and human rights due diligence and adopt a climate transition plan in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The timeline is currently under consideration in the Omnibus proposal.

In addition to working on social compliance via amfori BSCI, a group of students conducted research into the risks in our chain in 2024. We will continue to build on their results to support our customers who need to comply with CSDDD as much as possible.

CSRD
(Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)

Description: The CSRD strengthens and standardises the rules around sustainability reporting in the EU, covering a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects. The first companies have to apply the new rules in fiscal year 2024 for reports published in 2025. The timeline for unlisted companies such as Paardekooper is currently under consideration in the Omnibus proposal.

Paardekooper has published three sustainability reports in preparation for the CSRD. This has provided us with experience for the first mandatory report that will be published next year.

EUDR
(EU Deforestation-free Regulation)

Description: The EUDR aims to reduce the EU’s impact on global deforestation and forest degradation linked to the production of specific commodities and some derived products. Products placed on the EU market or exported from the EU must be free from deforestation, legally produced and accompanied by appropriate documentation proving this, known as a due diligence statement. Following a recent ruling by the European Commission, the measures will come into effect from 30 December 2025 instead of 30 December 2024.

The NVGP/Ververpakkingsunie trade association is holding discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the NVWA and politicians to gain acceptance for NGOs with a global chain assurance and risk analysis system. Collaboration is taking place with the FSC organisation to develop a suitable system for the packaging wholesaler. In addition, the purchasing departments of both divisions are guided in achieving Paardekooper’s ‘100% FSC-certified article,’ policy.

GCD
(Green Claims Directive)

Description: The GCD aims to strengthen the prevention of false and misleading voluntary environmental claims in B2C commercial practices by setting requirements for substantiation, verification and communication of such claims. Although EU legislation is still developing, the market is already starting to respond to the intention to combat greenwashing.

At Paardekooper, we are careful about what we promise our customers. If a customer wants to base a purchasing decision on environmental impact data, we work with The LCA Centre to produce comprehensive and robust peer-reviewed LCA studies that help defend environmental claims.

PPWR
(Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation)

Description: The PPWR aims to significantly reduce the amount of packaging and packaging waste, promote reuse and recycling, and thus strengthen the circular economy. In addition, it aims to stimulate the use of recycled plastic by creating a market for high-quality secondary raw materials. The law comes into force on 12 August 2026. Some measures will apply immediately (i.e. from 12 August 2026), while others will be introduced gradually over the years that follow.

Paardekooper is looking for products that meet the PPWR in various ways. For example, we introduced transparent flower sleeves with 70% and even 97% recycled content, and we offer various re-use systems to provide customers with alternatives for products that will no longer be permitted.

SUPD
(Single Use Plastics Directive)

Description: The SUPD aims to prevent and reduce the impact of certain single-use plastic products on the environment and public health. In addition, it aims to promote the transition to a circular economy. This is achieved by introducing market restrictions, consumption reduction targets, mandatory recycled content in PET beverage bottles and extended producer responsibility requirements. Looking back on the entry into force of the SUPD in 2019, it is now being assessed by the European Commission.

Paardekooper offers reusable alternatives, plastic-free alternatives and cups with approved recycling streams. In addition, The LCA Centre checks whether products that claim to be plastic-free actually are.

The future of packaging

During a meeting of Royal Flora Holland for growers of potted plants, we shared our insights on the future of sustainable packaging and the legislation that will play a role in this.

We discussed (upcoming) legislation, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Green Claims Directive. We provided the attendees with practical tips and examples of packaging options that can be used within these new guidelines.