The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) has expressed extreme concern that the EU’s plans for design of packaging could mean the end of popular seasonal confectionery such as heart-shaped boxes of chocolates or chocolate Santa Clauses with decorations such as bows, scarves, or hats.
The draft of the “Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation” (PPWR) already made it clear that the focus should be on minimizing packaging in the future. Unlike the EU Parliament, however, the European Council’s position did not provide for any exemptions for seasonal products or gift packaging, which have been appreciated and in high demand by consumers for many decades. Exemptions for mandatory packaging minimization are currently only provided for products with trademark or design protection. However, small and medium-sized companies in particular would not be able to apply for the corresponding trademark or design protection for each of their products due to the considerable costs and administrative effort involved, explains the confectionery association, which includes manufacturers of salty and sweet snacks.
The BDSI therefore strongly supports the position of the EU Parliament, which considers the special design for special occasions in addition to the purely protective function of packaging. Without taking into account consumer acceptance and the function of the packaging, gift and seasonal packaging would lose its special design, which is appreciated by consumers, if packaging components were removed.
Following the provisional agreement between the Council of the EU and the European Parliament on the planned EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), many packaging industry associations have expressed both praise and criticism. Most experts emphasize that a detailed analysis of the compromise is currently not possible until the text is available in full. At the request of FACHPACK360°, the Federal Association of the Confectionery Industry also did not want to make any more specific comments beyond the February press release.
The draft of the “Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation” (PPWR) already made it clear that the focus should be on minimizing packaging in the future. Unlike the EU Parliament, however, the European Council’s position did not provide for any exemptions for seasonal products or gift packaging, which have been appreciated and in high demand by consumers for many decades. Exemptions for mandatory packaging minimization are currently only provided for products with trademark or design protection. However, small and medium-sized companies in particular would not be able to apply for the corresponding trademark or design protection for each of their products due to the considerable costs and administrative effort involved, explains the confectionery association, which includes manufacturers of salty and sweet snacks.
When the Bow is Missing
“Omitting a bow, for example, means that a product’s suitability as a gift is lost. It is precisely this type of decoration that makes many popular products unique. For example, the bell or bow on an Easter bunny or Santa Claus or a small Christmas tree on a chocolate snowman are unmistakable features that add value to consumer expectations. A special presentation of a box of chocolates would no longer be possible under the EU Council’s plans,” explains Dr. Carsten Bernoth, Managing Director of the BDSI.The BDSI therefore strongly supports the position of the EU Parliament, which considers the special design for special occasions in addition to the purely protective function of packaging. Without taking into account consumer acceptance and the function of the packaging, gift and seasonal packaging would lose its special design, which is appreciated by consumers, if packaging components were removed.
Following the provisional agreement between the Council of the EU and the European Parliament on the planned EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), many packaging industry associations have expressed both praise and criticism. Most experts emphasize that a detailed analysis of the compromise is currently not possible until the text is available in full. At the request of FACHPACK360°, the Federal Association of the Confectionery Industry also did not want to make any more specific comments beyond the February press release.
