Attenzione: il presente focus non viene più aggiornato dal 2013.
Per avere informazioni sulle novità intervenute in materia, è possibile consultare la sezione "documentazione".
>> Vai a Documentazione
L'allegato I della Direttiva 94/62/Ce definisce, per ogni tipo di imballaggio ("primario", "secondario" e "terziario") quali prodotti siano da considerarsi imballaggio e quali no. L'articolo 3 della Direttiva, infatti, fissa i criteri generali per poi demandare all'Allegato I la definizione di esempi illustrativi di detti criteri.
Dopo una prima modifica dell'allegato I introdotta nel 2004 (Direttiva 2004/12/Ce), l'Unione europea ha arricchito l'elenco di maggiori esempi in modo da eliminare ambiguità di interpretazione, evitare imprecisioni e creare parità di trattamento nei vari Stati membri. Le nuove modifiche all'Allegato I sono state introdotte con la Direttiva 2013/2/Ue. >> Vai al testo della Direttiva
Secondo i nuovi criteri, cui gli Stati membri dovranno adeguarsi entro il 30 settembre 2013, sono "imballaggio", tra gli altri, le grucce per abiti (ma solo se vendute insieme all'abito), i rotoli per alluminio, pellicola o carta, le scatole di fiammiferi, le buste a sacco per l'invio di cataloghi e riviste, ecc. Non sono imballaggio le grucce per indumenti (vendute separatamente), le bustine solubili per detersivi, le cartucce per stampanti, i lumini per tombe, ecc.
Riportiamo in fondo l'elenco completo con alcune immagini esemplificative, tratte dal documento di orientamento e interpretazione messo a disposizione dalla Direzione Generale ambiente dell'Unione europea in fase di discussione sulle modifiche da apportare. Sebbene le interpretazioni riportare nel documento risalgano al 2010 (e cioè alla fase iniziale della discussione), si è ritenuto opportuno segnalarle per una maggiore comprensione rispetto alla definizione dell'articolo a cui si riferiscono. Il documento è disponibile nel menu di sinistra alla voce "Cronistoria del dibattito", dove viene ricostruito il percorso che ha portato all'approvazione della Direttiva 2013/2/Ue, con relativa documentazione.
Sempre nel menu di sinistra è possibile consultare l'orientamento che alcuni Paesi europei hanno assunto nei confronti dei seguenti articoli:
• rotoli, tubi e cilindri;
• vasi da fiori;
• capsule per sistemi erogatori di caffè;
• grucce per indumenti;
• espositori;
• pellicole di supporto di etichette autoadesive;
• imballaggi per farmaceutici;
• recipienti di acciaio ricaricabili per gas di vario tipo, esclusi gli estintori.
È possibile consultare quanto riportato nel menu di sinistra anche scaricando il file pdf.
>> Scarica il file pdf
ELENCO PRODOTTI COME DA ALLEGATO I ALLA Direttiva 7 febbraio 2013, n. 2013/2/Ue (in rosso i "nuovi" prodotti) | INTERPRETAZIONE (tratte dal documento stilato dalla DG Ambiente e inviato agli Stati membri nel luglio del 2010) | IMMAGINI ESEMPLIFICATIVE (tratte dal documento stilato dalla DG Ambiente e inviato agli Stati membri nel luglio del 2010) | |
Esempi illustrativi per il criterio i) Articoli considerati imballaggio | |||
| Scatole per dolci | |||
| Pellicola che ricopre le custodie di CD | |||
| Buste a sacco per l'invio di cataloghi e riviste (contenenti riviste) | Mail pouches are used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of paper magazines from the producer to the user or consumer and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph. |  | |
| Pizzi per torte venduti con le torte | Cake dollies sold together with cakes are used for containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of cakes from the producer to the user or the consumer, thus complying with the definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph. Although such cake dollies appear to contain, support or preserve cakes throughout their life-time (i.e. until the moment of the consumption of the cake), they are not an integral part of the product and are not intended to be used, consumed and disposed of together with the cake: after the consumption of the cake, the dollies are disposed of. Pursuant to criterion (i) of the packaging definition, such cakes constitute packaging as they fulfil a packaging function. |  | |
| Rotoli, tubi e cilindri sui quali è avvolto materiale flessibile (come ad esempio pellicola, fogli di alluminio, carta), eccetto i rotoli, i tubi e i cilindri che sono parti di macchinari di produzione e non sono utilizzati per presentare un prodotto come un'unità di vendita | Tubes and cylinders around which flexible material is wound are to be used for containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of flexible material and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph. These tubes and cylinders are not an integral part of the product and are not necessary to contain, support or preserve the flexible material throughout its life-time. The flexible material and the tubes and cylinders are disposed of separately. Criterion (i) provides that such items shall be considered to be packaging if they fulfil the packaging definition without prejudice to other functions which the packaging might also perform. |  | |
| Vasi da fiori da usare solo per la vendita e il trasporto di piante e non destinati a restare con la pianta per tutta la sua durata di vita | Flower pots have a function to contain, protect, handle, deliver and present plants and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph. They are not an integral part of a product. Flower pots used to sell plants and transport them to the owner, where the plants are taken out and planted into soil or other flower pots, are not necessary to contain, support or preserve the abovementioned definition without prejudice to other functions which the packaging might also perform. In this context, it is important to note that at the moment of sale, the effective use of a flower pot cannot always be determined exactly. Therefore, the classification of specific types of flower pots as packaging or non-packaging needs to be done on the basis of their normal intended use rather than the actual use of individual items. |  | |
| Bottiglie di vetro per soluzioni iniettabili | Glass bottles for injection solutions are necessary for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of the product from the producer to the user or consumer and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of Artile 3(1), first paragraph. They are not an integral part of a product. The glass bottles are not consumed and disposed of together with the injection solutions and therefore they constitute packaging within the meaning of criterion (i) of the definition of packaging. |  | |
| Spine di contenimento per CD (spindle) (vendute con i CD, non destinate ad essere usate per riporli) | CD spindles sold together with CDs but not intended to serve as storage have a function to contain, protect, handle, deliver and present CDs from the producer to the user or the consumer and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph. CD spindles do not form an integral part of the product and are not necessary to contain, support or preserve CDs throughout their life-time. They are not intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together with the CDs – they are disposed of once the CDs are taken away. Therefore, such CD spindles constitute packaging within the meaning of criterion (i) of the packaging definition. |  | |
| Grucce per indumenti (vendute con un indumento) | Clothes' hangers sold together with a clothing item are used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of clothes at the moment of their purchase, to the user or the consumer and therefore fulfil the packaging definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph. Such hangers do not form an integral part of the clothing item and are not intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together with it, but they are removed before the clothing is used and disposed of separately. Therefore, clothes' hangers sold together with a clothing item constitute packaging within the meaning of criterion (i) of the packaging definition. |  | |
| Scatole di fiammiferi | ATTENZIONE: nel documento di orientamento le scatole per fiammiferi sono classificate come non-imballaggio (criterio i) Matchboxes are used for containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of matches from the producer to the user or consumer and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph. |  | |
| Sistemi di barriera sterili (involucri, vassoi e materiali necessari per preservare la sterilità del prodotto) | |||
| Capsule per sistemi erogatori di bevande (caffè, cioccolata e latte) che sono lasciate vuote dopo l'uso | |||
| Recipienti di acciaio ricaricabili per gas di vario tipo, esclusi gli estintori | Reusable steel and plastic cylinder used for various kinds of gas: Reusable steel cylinders are used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of a good from the producer to the user or consumer and therefore fulfil the packaging definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph. They do not form an integral part of a product and are not intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together with the gas – they are refilled or disposed of once the gas is used. Reusable plastic and steel cylinders are designed and intended to be filled at the point of sale and therefore constitute packaging within the meaning of criterion (ii) of the packaging definition |  | |
Esempi illustrativi per il criterio i) Articoli non considerati imballaggio | |||
| Vasi da fiori destinati a restare con la pianta per tutta la sua durata di vita | |||
| Cassette di attrezzi | |||
| Bustine da tè | |||
| Rivestimenti di cera dei formaggi | |||
| Budelli per salsicce | |||
| Grucce per indumenti (vendute separatamente) | Empty clothes' hangers are sold to consumers to be used for containment, support or preservation of clothing items in the future (e.g. at home). Clothes' hangers are not used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of a good at the moment of purchase and therefore do not fulfil the packaging definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph. |  | |
| Capsule per sistemi erogatori di caffè, sacchetti di alluminio per caffè e bustine di carta per caffè filtro che si gettano insieme al caffè usato | Nel documento di orientamento vengono classificati separatamente: • Filter paper coffee pods: Coffee containers have a function to contain, protect, handle, and deliver coffee portions. They are, however, an integral part of a product and are necessary to contain, support or preserve that product throughout its lifetime. | 
| |
| Cartucce per stampanti | Cartridges are used to protect, handle, and deliver ink from the producer to the user or the consumer – as such, they comply with the definition of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph. However, cartridges are necessary to contain, support or preserve ink throughout its life-time (i.e. until the moment it is used for printing). Although cartridges are not disposed of together with ink, they are used together with ink: they form an inseparable part of a printing unit as they contain such elements necessary for printing as cogwheels, gears, rolls, chips, etc. As such, they are an integral part of the product. Cartridges are not designed or intended to be filled at the point of sale – instead, they are filled in dedicated industrial facilities. Therefore, cartridges shall be considered non-packaging in light of criteria (i) and (ii) of the packaging definition, despite their packaging function |  | |
| Custodie per CD, DVD e videocassette (vendute insieme ai CD, DVD e alle videocassette) | CD, DVDs and video cases are used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentations of CDs, DVDs and videos and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph.Nevertheless, they are necessary to contain, support and preserve the CDs, DVDs or videos throughout their life-time in order to avoid damages caused by e.g. extreme weather conditions or other storage conditions. Furthermore, the CD, DVDs and video cases are normally used and disposed of together. Pursuant to criterion (i) CDs, DVDs and video cases shall be considered as non-packaging despite their packaging function. |  | |
| Spine di contenimento per CD (spindle) (venduti vuoti, destinati ad essere usati per custodire i CD) | Empty CD spindles are sold to users or consumers with an intention to contain, support and preserve CDs in the future (e.g. home or office storage). Therefore, CD spindles are not used for containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of a good at the moment of purchase, from the producer to the consumer and therefore do not fulfil the packaging definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph. |  | |
| Bustine solubili per detersivi | Soluble bags for detergents are used for containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of detergents from the producer to the user or the consumer and therefore comply with the definition of Article 3(1). However, they are an integral part of the product as they are necessary to contain the product throughout its lifetime. Soluble bags are intended to be used, consumed disposed with the detergent. Therefore, soluble bags for detergents are to be considered non-packaging within the meaning of criterion (i) of the definition of packaging. |  | |
| Lumini per tombe (contenitori per candele) | Plastic, metal or glass containers are used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of candles from the producer to the user or the consumer and therefore comply with the definition of packaging of Article 3(1), first paragraph. The containers for candles have a decorative value and protect candles from wind and rain. They can be intended to be used, consumed and disposed of together with the candles, but can also be reused once a candle is burnt (refilled with a new candle). At the moment of sale, the effective use of a container cannot always be determined exactly. Therefore, the classification of containers as packaging or non-packaging needs to be done on the basis of their normal intended use.The fact that containers significantly extend the burning time of candles and prevent the spillage of melted wax cannot be considered as a factor which determines that such containers form an integral part of the product or are necessary to contain, support or preserve that product throughout its life-time, since life extension and containment are inherent functions of packaging (e.g. metal cans, jars, bottles etc). Therefore, plastic, metal or glass containers for candles constitute packaging within the meaning of criterion (i) of the packaging definition. |  | |
| Macinini meccanici (integrati in recipienti ricaricabili, ed es. macinapepe ricaricabile) | A mechanical quern is a machine or device that reduces a solid or coarse substance into pulp or minute grains by crushing, grinding, or pressing: e.g. a mechanical quern integrated into a pepper mill. When mechanical querns are integrated in a re-fillable jar (e.g. pepper mill), they form an integral part of the product (e.g. pepper mill) and they are intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together with it. In this case, the pepper mill is sold as a product in itself, which is designed to be re-filled and re-used in the future. Therefore, mechanical querns integrated in a re-fillable jar are to be considered as non-packaging in light of criteria (i) of the packaging definition. |  | |
Esempi illustrativi per il criterio ii)
| |||
| Sacchetti o borse di carta o di plastica | |||
| Piatti e tazze monouso | |||
| Pellicola retrattile | |||
| Sacchetti per panini | |||
| Fogli di alluminio | |||
| Pellicola di plastica per gli indumenti lavati nelle lavanderie | Plastic foil is used to wrap cleaned clothes in laundries. It is used for containment, protection, handling and presentation of cleaned clothes at the moment of their delivery (purchase of the cleaning service) to the user or the consumer and therefore fulfil the packaging definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph. The plastic foil does not form an integral part of clothing and it is not intended to be used, consumed or disposed of together with the clothing – it will be removed before the clothing is used and disposed of separately.Furthermore, such foil is designed and intended to be filled at the point of sale (a cleaning service) and therefore constitutes packaging within the meaning of criterion (ii) of the packaging definition. |  | |
Esempi illustrativi per il criterio ii) Articoli non considerati imballaggio | |||
| Agitatori | |||
| Posate monouso | |||
| Carta da imballaggio (venduta separatamente) | Wrapping paper sold separately to the final user is not used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of a good at the moment of purchase, from the producer to the consumer.
The wrapping paper is in fact sold as a product in itself and it is packed in its own packaging. Furthermore, it is not intended to be filled at the point of sale. Therefore, wrapping paper sold separately to the final user, shall be considered non-packaging pursuant to criterion (ii) of the packaging definition. |  | |
| Forme di carta per prodotti da forno (vendute vuote) | Empty paper baking cases sold separately to consumers with an intention to contain, support or preserve cakes in the future, are not used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of a good from the producer to the user or consumer and therefore do not fulfil the packaging definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph. They are also not intended to be filled at the point of sale. Therefore, empty paper baking cases sold separately to the final user shall not be considered to be packaging pursuant to criterion (ii) of the packaging definition. |  | |
| Pizzi per torte venduti senza le torte | Cake dollies sold separately to the final user are not used for containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of a good at the moment of purchase, from the producer to the consumer and therefore do not fulfil the packaging definition of Article 3(1), first paragraph.
They are also not intended to be filled at the point of sale. Therefore, empty cake dollies sold separately to the final user shall be considered as non-packaging pursuant to criterion (ii) of the packaging definition. |  | |
Esempi illustrativi per il criterio iii)
| |||
| Etichette fissate direttamente o apposte sul prodotto | |||
Esempi illustrativi per il criterio iii) Articoli considerati parti di imballaggio | |||
| Spazzolini per mascara che fanno parte integrante della chiusura dei recipienti | |||
| Etichette adesive apposte su un altro articolo di imballaggio | |||
| Graffette | |||
| Fascette di plastica | |||
| Dispositivo di dosaggio che fa parte integrante della chiusura della confezione dei detersivi | |||
| Macinini meccanici (integrati in recipienti non ricaricabili, riempiti con un prodotto, ed es. macinapepe contenente pepe) | A mechanical quern is a machine or device that reduces a solid or coarse substance into pulp or minute grains by crushing, grinding, or pressing:e.g. a pepper mill. When mechanical querns are integrated in a non-refillable jar filled with a product (e.g. pepper mill filled with pepper), they are ancillary elements integrated into packaging and they shall be considered to be part of the packaging into which they are integrated. In this case, the product sold is the pepper and the pepper mill is the packaging used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of the pepper. Therefore, mechanical querns integrated in a non-refillable jar, filled with a product are to be considered as packaging in light of criteria (iii) of the packaging definition. |  | |
Esempi illustrativi per il criterio iii) Articoli non considerati imballaggio | |||
| Etichette di identificazione a radiofrequenza (RFID) | If RFID tags are hung directly on, attached, integrated or connected to a packaging item they fulfil the criterion (iii) of Article 3(1) of the packaging definition, representing a part of packaging onto which it is integrated. |  |