06 Dec 2022 Environmental Labelling: Guidelines, Exceptions, Solutions

Environmental labelling comes into force on 1 January 2023, and consists of applying a label to all packaging placed on the market in Italy in order to facilitate its collection, reuse, recovery and recycling.

Guidelines for Environmental Labelling of Packaging

With the contribution of CONAI, the government has drawn up a non-regulatory document which provides a detailed overview of the new labelling measures.

The government guidelines are available both in Italian and in English:

• Italian: Linee Guida sull’etichettatura degli imballaggi ai sensi dell’art. 219 comma 5 del D.Lgs. 152/2006 e ss.mm (mite.gov.it)
• English: Labelling for packaging – Guidelines according to Art. 219 paragraph 5 of Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent modifications and integrations 09.2022.pdf (mite.gov.it).

As the government specifies, the document may be periodically modified or amended.

In which cases is it possible to use up stockpiles of non-compliant packaging as of 31.12. 2022?

In some cases it is possible to use up stockpiles of non-compliant packaging as of 31.12. 2022

It is, indeed, possible to place onto the market packaging – even if empty – which was labelled (which were therefore printed, or for which the label was produced or applied) before 31.12.2022; or packaging which was purchased by the user from its suppliers before 31.12.2022, even if such stocks are located in another country.

What packaging is exempt from environmental labelling?

Pharmaceuticals – both for human and veterinary use – and medical devices, for which sector regulations already lay out specific obligations.

Products not destined for the Italian market are also exempt: the labelling obligation indeed regards packaging marketed for consumption within Italy.