Reusable Packaging System Design Standard: Labelling & Education

Designation Number:
CSA R302
Standard Type:
National Standard of Canada - Domestic
Standard Development Activity:
New Standard
ICS code(s):
55.020
Status:
Proceeding to development
SDO Comment Period Start Date:
SDO Comment Period End Date:
Posted On:

Scope:

The Labelling & Education Standard specifies labeling requirements that will make it easy for consumers and companies to identify containers and collection points that are part of a reuse system and properly participate in the system. It also applicable to signage and educational materials in locations that provide, sell, collect and/or service reusable containers, including retailers, sports and entertainment venues, logistics and washing facilities, and public gathering spaces.

 

This document is only applicable to containers, collection points and locations that operate in a shared reuse ecosystem. The labeling and signage requirements in this document do not apply to reusable containers, products or services that operate in independent or proprietary reuse systems.

 

These standards do not preempt any industry standards or regulations related to food safety, quality or other topics that are often included in and related to product labeling. In general, PR3 standards are to be applied in addition to all other relevant labeling standards.

Project need:

Single-use packaging is a critical threat to human health and the environment. Research shows that reuse has the greatest potential to dramatically reduce plastic production and greenhouse gas emissions compared to other packaging waste interventions. As reusable packaging systems have emerged and expanded in recent years, they have been designed independently and are mostly small-scale, disconnected, and proprietary. They mostly operate within their own systems for collection and reverse logistics. The key benefits of standardized reuse systems include: • The potential for reusable packaging from multiple companies and retailers to share the same core infrastructure and services (e.g., collection points, transportation, and washing); • Per-use packaging comparable to single-use packaging; and • Dramatically decreased climate and environmental impact compared to single-use packaging. The Labelling & Education Standard represents one component of the Reusable Packaging System Design Standard. The goal of the Reusable Packaging System Design standard is to transform disconnected reuse systems into an interoperable system that is more efficient, convenient, and affordable and has the ability to truly scale. The Labelling & Education Standard specifies requirements and recommendations for labeling at various points in a reuse ecosystem. This proposed New Standard is being developed at the request of Environment & Climate Change Canada as it aligns with the Government of Canada’s circular economy priorities . The standards will be developed with US Standards Development Organization, PR3 (Resolve), and will provide the industry with harmonized, binational standards between Canada and the US on Container Design to support reuse systems. As economies transition to reuse, these system standards have the potential to impact communities, consumers, workers, businesses, governments, and other stakeholders. This will meet the strategic needs of the following key interests: a) Industries, retailers, brand owners and packaging designers that intend to operate containers in a reuse system b) Ensuring consumers and communities are provided with the appropriate knowledge to participate in and engage with reuse systems c) Addressing Canadian and US federal government circular economy/waste reduction priorities and needs by providing suitable requirements for reuse systems; and aligning Canadian and US federal government reuse systems

Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.

Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.