Spain Issues Packaging and Labeling Regulations

From January 1, 2025, the Spanish packaging law will implement the final provisions of Spanish Royal Decree 1055/2022, and all household packaging must be marked on its packaging, which classification container it should be placed in. This means that the Spanish EPR packaging recycling mark will become a mandatory measure. Next, various platforms are likely to enforce it on unregistered sellers, so sellers should pay attention to handle it early and complete compliance in time.

Since the new label regulations have not yet come into effect, it is not required to use the new labels immediately when registering. However, considering the timeliness of sellers launching new products and factors such as shipping time, JJR recommends that sellers print new labels in advance from now on.

Interpretation of new label color classification

Pursuant to Article 13 of Legislative Decree 1055/2022, markings and labels must be affixed to the packaging itself or to a label. These markings must be clearly visible and legible and must be sufficiently permanent and durable, even after the packaging has been opened.

Producers of household packaging can design their own label formats, but they must include necessary information such as waste composition and collection bin identification.

1. Yellow container

Plastic, metal and composite packaging will all use the yellow recycling symbol. These packages should be placed in designated yellow recycling containers for recycling.

Example:

Plastic packaging: such as beverage bottles, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, shower gel bottles and shopping bags.

Metal packaging: including soft drink cans, food cans and aerosol products such as deodorants.

Composite packaging: For example, composite cartons used to package juice, milk and milkshakes.

2. Blue container

This symbol is used for paper and cardboard packaging that must be collected in blue recycling containers.

Examples: cookie boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, frozen food packaging, paper bags

3. Brown container

This symbol is used for compostable packaging and the brown bin will be the designated collection point for compostable packaging. Such packaging must comply with the UNE EN 13432:2001 standard and be able to decompose in industrial composting facilities to be considered compostable.

Compostable packaging: Materials designed to break down under specific conditions and be converted into fertilizer.

4. Green Container

The recycling of glass packaging will be uniformly carried out in green recycling containers. The setting of green recycling containers can more effectively sort and recycle glass materials and promote their recycling.

Example:

Glass bottles: including wine bottles, liquor bottles, etc.

Jars and containers: used for packaging of cosmetics, perfumes, jams, preserves, etc.

New label usage instructions

Label design

The official colors must be used as the main colors. The proportions, shape or font of the logo must not be changed, and no other elements should be placed in the logo. If the seller cannot use the official colors, other colors can be used (black and white versions are allowed), but there must be a text description [label color].

Label printing

The label should have the word "RECICLIA" printed on it to remind consumers to separate packaging from regular trash. Even if the label is solid color, it should verbally indicate the destination, or a combination of color and text, of the collection bin destination (container) (al azul, al amarillo, al verde, al marron) so that consumers can sort correctly.

Multi-material packaging

If the packaging is made of different materials, different versions of the logo are used depending on whether the materials are easy to separate.

- The packaging is easy to separate: mark the corresponding materials on each part of the packaging;

- The package cannot be easily separated: the symbol indicating the material with the largest weight in the package.

※ For example, a set of six bottles of beverages is made of cardboard , the bottle is made of glass , and the sealing cap is made of metal . Therefore, the recycling logo of this product should contain blue, green and yellow recycling labels.

Size requirements

A buffer area should be left around the logo (the red box area in the figure below), which is away from any other graphic elements to ensure readability. The recommended label size is 10mm and the minimum size is 8mm. 

Attention all sellers: The green dot symbol in Ecoembes can be temporarily printed together with the new label, and the new label will be used after the policy is updated.

【FAQ】

Q: Before the new label of the Spanish Packaging Law comes into effect, do I need to use the new label if I register now?

The new label of the Spanish Packaging Law will be officially implemented on January 1, 2025, but it has not yet come into force, so it is not required to use the new label immediately during current registration.

However, considering the timeliness of sellers launching new products and factors such as shipping time, it is recommended that sellers print new labels in advance from now on.

Q: Does the green dot logo still need to be printed on Spanish packaging?

Previously, the green dot symbol in Ecoembes was changed from a mandatory requirement to a voluntary one. Sellers please note that the green dot symbol in Ecoembes can be printed together with the new label temporarily, but the new label must be used after the policy is updated.

【JJR reminder】

The Spanish Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) provides sellers with ample time to prepare for compliance and is currently in a transitional phase. From January 1, 2025, classification labels for household packaging will become mandatory. If merchants fail to comply with these regulations, they may face product removal or more severe penalties.

Given the complexity of the EPR registration process, sellers are advised to contact JJR LAB for agent registration and declaration. If you want to avoid being withheld by Amazon, you must submit your packaging registration number to Amazon before December 31, 2024. Sellers who do not want to be withheld and do not register for the Spanish Packaging Law will not be able to sell packaged products on Amazon.