The European Union Directive (2019/904) introduces significant changes to the design of plastic caps for single-use bottles. According to the document, lids must be attached to all containers with liquid up to three liters.
Nowadays, there are more and more disposable plastic bottles with different characteristics on the market. The biggest change concerns caps for liquid bottles up to three liters. They are no longer removable, as they used to be, but are designed to not be separated from the container. The change generated mixed reactions and numerous consumer comments. However, this is not a production originality. The European Union already issued a directive (2019/904) in 2019, which will actually become mandatory from July 2024.
Relevant part of this regulation EU for the production of caps and closures reads: “Plastic caps and capsused for beverage containers are among the single-use plastics most commonly found as garbage on the beaches of the European Union. Thus, disposable plastic beverage containers should only be allowed to be placed on the market if they meet certain requirements. The environmental impact of plastic bottle caps must be reduced, including the possibility of recycling. Packaging requirements set out in Annex II of Directive 94/62/EC.”
What led to such a decision? The decision of the European Union arose after a study by the European Commission, during which caps from plastic bottles were found on the beaches in large quantities. The purpose of the relevant directive is to prevent 10% of plastic waste from entering the coast of EU countries.
Several beverage companies have adapted to the above rule, although there are no specific specifications – just a general requirement that caps must be attached to the bottle.
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