New European legislation on Plant Protection Products: the impact on the packaging sector and alternative solutions

In recent years the European Union has played a leading role in working towards a sustainable future, issuing several directives on the protection of health, the environment and biodiversity.

In addition to the well-known law prohibiting the use of single-use plastic, mentioned in our dedicated blog post, the European Union recently issued a directive with requirements for the manufacturers of insecticides and plant protection products.

This legislation, which has since been implemented by EU member states, aims to introduce stricter regulations on plant protection chemicals, limiting contact and dispersion by adopting safer and more precise dosing systems, to guarantee greater protection for the environment and the health of users, and non-professional users in particular.

The new legislation: what has changed for plant protection product manufacturers?

In force since 1 May 2018, the regulation requires manufacturers of insecticides and plant protection products make significant changes to their packaging processes, promoting "innovative packaging solutions so untrained users can handle and correctly use the product in simple operations, minimizing user exposure and dispersion into the environment, as well as the health risk in the event of an accident or during domestic storage."

It also mentions: “For the purposes of this review, the strategies adopted in 2020 by the European Commission as part of the "Green Deal" plan for sustainable development were also taken into account, in particular the "Farm to Fork" Strategy and "Biodiversity Strategy for 2030" in which the Commission identifies the fundamental actions EC Member States are required to implement to improve the protection of human health and the environment: safeguarding biodiversity and pollinators first and foremost, reducing the overall use of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030, and in particular the use of more hazardous pesticides.”

In short, in addition to simplifying the handling of the product and its correct use for non-professional users, the regulation aims to limit the dispersion of chemical products into the environment, to reduce the negative impact of these substances on land, water bodies and fauna.

To do so, manufacturers must adopt new packaging solutions that make dosing plant protection products during application simple, safe and precise.

How to meet the requirements of the new legislation?

Pour&Dose is the innovative patented Tacom solution, ideal for meeting the secure and simple packaging requirements of the European legislation, aimed at promoting greater sustainability. In fact, this system offers numerous advantages for manufacturers and the environment:

1. Measured dosage
Pour & Dose is designed to dispense a pre-set amount of product, guaranteeing precise dosing, thanks to its integrated dosing system. This reduces the risk of exceeding the required dose, ensuring the right quantity of product is dispensed every time it’s used.

2. Reducing plastic waste
Pour & Dose also meets the requirements of the European legislation for the reduction of plastic, eliminating single-dose packaging, as the dispensing system is integrated into 100% eco-friendly paperboard packaging. This solution means a drastic reduction in the plastic used in the plant protection industry, and more.

3. Respecting the environment
By reducing the dispersion of chemical products and limiting the use of plastic, Pour & Dose is an environmentally friendly choice; it helps reduce waste and promotes the use of eco-sustainable packaging.

4. Simple to use
Pour & Dose is designed to be simple and easy to use, without the need for manual measuring cups that increase the risk of skin contact and contamination. Ease of use reduces the risk of error, increasing compliance with the legislation in force.

5. Safety
The Tacom dispensing spout facilitates dispensing and at the same time represents an additional guarantee for product safety as the packaging can be resealed properly again after use, making it difficult for children to open.

Our Pour & Dose system is the ideal solution to meet these new requirements, reduce plastic waste, and guarantee the precise dosing of plant protection products, in compliance with regulations. Thanks to its particular characteristics, Pour & Dose is not only a smart choice, it’s a strategic choice for PPP manufacturers looking to the future with confidence.

Contact us to find out more!