Overview
ISO 21067-2:2015 - "Packaging - Vocabulary - Part 2: Packaging and the environment terms" is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) vocabulary standard that defines terms used specifically in the intersection of packaging and environmental management. It provides clear, consistent definitions and explanatory notes for terminology used across the packaging lifecycle (reuse, recycling, energy recovery, organic and chemical recycling, optimization), enabling unambiguous communication among industry, regulators and stakeholders. It does not duplicate terms already covered by ISO 21067‑1 or general environmental vocabulary standards such as ISO 14050.
Key Topics
ISO 21067-2 is organized around practical term categories and includes source references to related ISO technical standards (e.g., ISO 18601–18606, ISO 15270). Major topic areas include:
- Basic and general terms: packaging component, packaging constituent, packaging waste, used packaging, recyclable, supplier, emptier.
- Packaging system and optimization: packaging system, packaging optimization, critical areas, substances and mixtures, safety data sheet.
- Reuse and reusable packaging: reuse, reusable packaging, trip, rotation, systems for reuse (closed loop, open loop, hybrid), auxiliary products, reconditioning.
- Material recycling: material recycling, recycling process, empty packaging, primary raw material, packaging unit.
- Energy recovery: energy recovery, combustion/incineration, available thermal energy, net calorific value, calorific gain and related calorific concepts.
- Organic recycling: organic recycling, compost, composting, total dry solids, volatile solids, anaerobic digestion.
- Chemical recovery: terms related to conversion of packaging to chemical feedstocks (definitions provided where applicable).
The standard supplies definitions, notes and cross-references to ensure terms are understandable without having to consult multiple documents.
Applications
ISO 21067-2 is a reference vocabulary used to harmonize language and reduce misinterpretation in activities such as:
- Packaging design and engineering for circular economy and source reduction (packaging optimization).
- Waste management and recycling operations (material recycling, energy recovery, composting and anaerobic digestion).
- Regulatory drafting, procurement specifications and compliance reporting where consistent definitions of “used packaging”, “recyclable”, “reusable” etc. are required.
- Environmental communications, labeling, lifecycle assessment (LCA) studies and standards development.
- Supply chain coordination between suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, recyclers and municipal authorities.
Primary users include packaging engineers, sustainability managers, waste and recycling professionals, policy makers, auditors and standard writers.
Related Standards
Using ISO 21067-2 helps organizations adopt consistent, internationally recognized terminology for environmentally related packaging topics, improving clarity across design, regulation and circular-economy initiatives.
