Overview
ISO 18602:2013 - "Packaging and the environment - Optimization of the packaging system" provides requirements and a procedure for assessing packaging so that the weight or volume of packaging material is optimized consistent with the packaging functions. The standard is focused on source reduction (minimizing material) as one option to reduce environmental impact, while ensuring protection, safety and user acceptability remain adequate. It also includes methodologies to assess and minimize substances or mixtures hazardous to the environment and to determine the presence of four heavy metals: lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium. The formal procedure for applying ISO 18602 is given in ISO 18601.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Packaging assessment and optimization: A systematic assessment to establish a minimum adequate weight/volume without compromising packaging functions (containment, protection, information, handling, etc.).
- Identification of critical areas: Suppliers must evaluate criteria (Clause 5) to determine which performance criteria prevent further reduction of weight/volume (e.g., protection of goods, manufacturing and filling processes, logistics).
- Hazardous substances evaluation: Guidance (Annex C) for determining whether substances/mixtures hazardous to the environment are present in emissions, ash or leachate during waste management; use of safety data sheets (SDS) and upstream supplier information.
- Heavy metals assessment: Measurement, calculation or upstream data to determine aggregate presence of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in packaging components.
- Documentation and demonstration: Suppliers must document assessments, use checklists (Annex B), retain SDS/process data, and be prepared to produce a statement that the requirements (critical areas, hazardous substances, heavy metals) have been met.
Practical applications and who uses ISO 18602:2013
- Packaging manufacturers and suppliers performing self-assessments to demonstrate packaging optimization and regulatory compliance.
- Product managers, environmental and compliance officers responsible for reducing packaging environmental impact and preparing supplier documentation.
- Purchasing/procurement teams specifying packaging requirements to meet environmental objectives.
- Auditors and third-party assessors verifying that packaging meets optimization and hazardous-substance minimization criteria.
- Sustainability and supply-chain professionals using ISO 18602 as part of life-cycle and material-reduction strategies.
Note: ISO 18602 does not govern packaging design or material selection decisions - it evaluates whether selected materials are used efficiently.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 18602:2013, packaging optimization, packaging and the environment, hazardous substances, heavy metals, packaging assessment, ISO 18601.
