Article 7F1Return, collection and recovery systems
1
In order to meet the objectives laid down in this Directive, Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that systems are set up to provide for:
a
the return and/or collection of used packaging and/or packaging waste from the consumer, other final user, or from the waste stream in order to channel it to the most appropriate waste management alternatives;
b
the reuse or recovery including recycling of the packaging and/or packaging waste collected.
Those systems shall be open to the participation of the economic operators of the sectors concerned and to the participation of the competent public authorities. They shall also apply to imported products under non-discriminatory conditions, including the detailed arrangements and any tariffs imposed for access to the systems, and shall be designed so as to avoid barriers to trade or distortions of competition in conformity with the Treaty.
2
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December of 2024, extended producer responsibility schemes are established for all packaging in accordance with Articles 8 and 8a of Directive 2008/98/EC.
3
The measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall form part of a policy covering all packaging and packaging waste and shall take into account, in particular, requirements regarding the protection of the environment and consumer health, safety and hygiene, the protection of the quality, the authenticity and the technical characteristics of the packed goods and materials used, and the protection of industrial and commercial property rights.
4
Member States shall take measures to promote high quality recycling of packaging waste and to meet the necessary quality standards for the relevant recycling sectors. To that end, Article 11(1) of Directive 2008/98/EC shall apply to packaging waste, including from composite packaging.