CEFLEX is launching a new design check tool to give guidance to designers, packaging technologists, customers and suppliers of flexible packaging.
Thousands of organisations have embraced the CEFLEX ‘Designing for a Circular Economy’ (D4ACE) guidelines since they were launched in 2020.
Now the firm has teamed up with recyclability specialist Recyda to deliver design-check.ceflex.eu which launches publicly with an information webinar on 19 September. This free service is being made available for anyone wanting to make a ‘quick and effective’ assessment on their design journey.
CEFLEX explained that the new ‘Design Check’ tool was developed in response to users of the guidelines who requested a way to check if a packaging design or specification adheres to them, when assessing their packaging portfolios and developing new products.
“The tool can be used either to assess an existing package, facilitate the R&D and design process, engage with other parts of the value chain, or prepare for recyclability testing,” said CEFLEX design lead Liz Morrish.
“Assessment covers all parts of the guidelines, including their sortability and recyclability principles. It indicates if a specification or design is compatible, has limited compatibility or is not compatible in terms of the D4ACE categories. Users are also able to undertake assessments for multiple specifications or designs.”
Graham Houlder, CEFLEX project coordinator, added, “The Design Check tool makes our guidelines easier to use, providing a record to track improvements over time and helping the value chain continue to accelerate progress on circular design. It specifically responds to the particular needs of our stakeholders and wider flexible packaging market.
“The tool could also play a key role in implementation of an expected EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) conformity assessment procedure. This will require producers and importers of packaged goods to gather relevant technical information and declare that the packaging they place on the market meets legal design requirements.”
The tool is based on the current CEFLEX D4ACE guidelines, which cover mono-material PE and PP structures, as well as mixed PO, in a mechanical recycling process. It will be revised to reflect updates based on a testing programme and new materials falling within the scope of Designing for a Circular Economy, such as flexible packaging containing aluminium foil.
