The Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) defines requirements for packaging to be considered recoverable. BS EN 13431:2004 amplifies these requirements with respect to energy recovery.
BS EN 13427:2000 provides a framework within which this and four other standards (BS EN 13429, BS EN 13430, BS EN 13431, and BS EN 13432) may be used together to support a claim that packaging is in compliance with the essential requirements for it to be placed on the market as required by the Directive.
BS EN 13431:2004 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 BS EN ISO 9000 and BS EN ISO 14000 series.
The purpose of packaging is the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of products. Energy recovery of used packaging is one of several recovery options within the overall life cycle of packaging.
In order to save resources and minimize waste, the whole system in which the packaging takes part should be optimized. This includes prevention as well as reuse and recovery of packaging waste.
This standard defines and specifies the thermodynamic requirements for packaging to allow the incineration with energy recovery of packaging waste.
Annex C sets out some of the more significant supporting regulations as well as conclusions reached during the preparation of the text. It is assumed that the heat generated during the incineration process shall be recovered as far as practicable, but it is outside the scope of this standard to take any standpoint on plant efficiency.
This standard specifies the requirements for a packaging to be energy recoverable and to identify the necessary procedures for a supplier placing packaging on the market to claim conformity with these requirements
The procedure for applying this standard is contained in BS EN 13427:2000.
BS EN 13431:2004 replaces BS EN 13431:2000.
ISBN 0 580 44191 1