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Definitions “Less Plastics / Plastic-Free”
How are “Less Plastics” and “Plastic-Free – Microplastic-Free Product Content” defined?
A milestone in consumer protection: detection of all types of plastics
Our certification programs represent a milestone in consumer protection: For the first time, any type of plastics in products and packaging can be identified and quantified. This includes, among others, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Plastics are used in an ever-growing number of applications due to their brilliant material properties. This includes elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosets, bioplastics, bio-based plastics, mixtures, and microplastics according to ECHA (including ISO/TR 21960:2020 Plastics – Environmental aspects – State of knowledge and methodologies).
Basic Definition
The basic understanding and fundamental definition of polymer and plastic or synthetic material follows EU standards and is compliant with the SUPD (Single-Use Plastics Directive). Regardless of the raw materials of the polymers (fossil or renewable resources), materials that are deliberately manufactured through chemical reactions into polymeric materials are defined as plastics. This definition, therefore, includes bioplastics, such as PLA. Only polymers that are the result of a natural polymerization process, regardless of the method by which they are extracted and which are not chemically altered substances, are excluded from this consideration.
Definition of LESS PLASTICS
“LESS PLASTICS” denotes consumer goods, products, packaging, and semi-finished products in which plastic makes up a minor part of the overall composition and does not exceed a clear limit. These limits are based on international standards, as well as factors such as contamination and technical unavoidability limits, and are defined in specific certification and product categories and act as measurable standards for laboratory testing, conformity assessment, and certification. The precise quantification of the maximum allowed plastic content is indicated on all flustix LESS PLASTICS seals and represents the clear reference value for the significance of the LESS PLASTICS claim. This makes a clear, measurable, and verifiable statement and is communicated transparently throughout the entire supply chain to economic actors (B2B), stakeholders, or at the point of sale to consumers (B2C).
Definition of PLASTIC-FREE – Microplastic-Free Product Content
Microplastic, according to REACH (Regulation (EU) 2023/2055), is defined as solid, water-insoluble plastic particles or objects up to a size of 5000 μm (5 mm). The term microplastic specifically focuses on primary, intentionally added microplastics. In laboratory testing, microplastics up to a size of 1.2 µm are measured. Microplastics should not be present in products or semi-finished products to impart a desired property if they constitute 0.1 weight percent or more to obtain the PLASTIC-FREE – Microplastic-Free Product Content certification. Based on REACH, the following polymers are excluded from the definition of microplastics:
- Polymers that are the result of a polymerization process occurring in nature, regardless of the method of extraction, and are not chemically modified substances;
- Polymers that are demonstrably degradable according to Annex 15 of Regulation (EU) No 2055/2023;
- Polymers that are demonstrably soluble at over 2 g/l according to Annex 16 of Regulation (EU) No 2055/2023;
- Polymers that do not contain carbon atoms in their chemical structure.