Minimising packaging

One of the legal obligations of The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 (as amended) is that packaging volume and weight must be reduced to the minimum amount necessary to maintain safety and hygiene whilst still being acceptable to consumers and adequately protecting the product.

• The composition and use of packaging

For Consumers

How do you complain about excess packaging?

• If you are a Hampshire resident please contact Hampshire Trading Standards. We will need the product details, and the date and place of purchase. If you are able to send us the original packaging, that would also be useful.

• If you are not a Hampshire resident, please visit the Trading Standards Institute web site and enter your postcode in the search box to identify your local Trading Standards Office.

• An initial assessment will be made by specialist officers before a decision on the most appropriate course of action is taken.

• Please note that the legislation governing excess packaging is open to interpretation. Formal enforcement action is only one of the options available to us.

How can you find out more about packaging technology?

• There are several organisations providing advice and information. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is a government initiative offering support and advice on packaging, recycling, waste reduction etc.

• The Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) is a non-profit organisation which carries out research into packaging use, reduction, recycling and recovery.

For Business