TIMCON meeting on incoming packaging rules

Delegates from the wooden pallet and packaging industry heard how new regulations will soon impact on their businesses at a general meeting of the Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON).

Held in Manchester at the end of February, the event featured presentations on the development and implementation timelines of new UK and EU packaging rules. In an update on the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Marcus Kirschner of German association HPE said European recycling targets are set to increase to 25 per cent this year and 30 per cent by 2030.

As the EU continues to develop the new rules, Kirschner said the packaging industry was seeking greater clarity on PPWR definitions – and acknowledged the role of continued industry lobbying by organisations such as HPE, FEFPEB, and TIMCON in securing key exceptions and special considerations for wood pallets and packaging.

Meanwhile, David Daw of environmental compliance specialist Valpak outlined the expected impact of Extended Produce Responsibility (EPR) regulations on the UK industry, adding that finalising complex details could lead to a delay in the implementation of the new regime.

The meeting also featured updates on the wooden pallet and packaging sector from Heikki Vidgren of AFRY – which produces TIMCON’s monthly market index – and the worldwide timber market by Rob Driessen of pallet and packaging wood purchasing specialist Connec3.

Jeff May, Deputy Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association (CPA), gave an overview of the construction industry’s priorities including its sustainability goals of decarbonising industry and ensuring compliance with government expectations.

TIMCON President John Dye said: “TIMCON meetings always aim to provide key updates for our membership, and our speakers this time gave essential insights into the changes in packaging rules that will affect their businesses in the months ahead. This meeting also showed how important our engagement in the lobbying process is to achieving positive results for our business – and the fantastic turn out shows how much our members value the opportunity to hear first-hand and discuss updates on regulations and other aspects of the business.”

“Working closer with pallet and packaging using industries, our forest-based sector counterparts, and our international colleagues makes all our businesses stronger and in today’s increasingly complex global market, is more important than ever.”

TIMCON is the acknowledged representative body of the UK and Republic of Ireland wooden pallet and packaging industry, encompassing manufacturers, the four major pallet pooling companies and most sawmills who supply the industry from UK and Ireland and suppliers to the industry such as kiln and composite block manufacturers.

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