Archive
Tag: European Union
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The Rhine at record low: why the date matters more than the depth
The Kaub gauge has fallen to 21 centimetres, the lowest since 1880. The record matters less than its timing: in 2018 the same depth was not reached until late October.…
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Envelope packaging under the PPWR: the contents decide, not the format
An envelope is not packaging or non-packaging as a class. Under Regulation (EU) 2025/40 the test turns on whether a product is being delivered, which is why an invoice and…
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Composite packaging under the PPWR: a legal boundary, not a scientific one
The PPWR defines composite packaging for the first time at EU level, ending divergent national interpretations. It sorts packaging into material categories, but it is not a recyclability assessment, and…
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What PFAS actually are: one definition, thousands of substances
PFAS is not a substance or a class of similar substances but a structural definition covering roughly 10,000 chemicals. What the carbon–fluorine bond does, why the families behave differently, and…
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The EU ban on destroying unsold textiles: what applies from 19 July 2026
From 19 July 2026, large companies may no longer destroy unsold apparel, clothing accessories or footwear in the EU. What Article 25 of the ESPR requires, who is in scope,…
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Material identification codes: what they mean, what they do not, and how the PPWR changes them
Material identification codes such as PET 1, PAP 21 and ALU 41 state what packaging is made from: not whether it is recyclable. An explanation of the system under Commission…