PACKER, IMPORTER OF A PACKED PRODUCT AND PACKAGING

PACKER

A packer is every firm manufacturing any product whatsoever that uses packaging materials to protect its products, for example, in production, storage, transport and distribution.

The packer of a product is most often its manufacturer. In addition, a wholesale business or another distributor is a packer if it adds packaging to its products.

A retailer is also a packer with regard to in-store packing.

IMPORTER OF A PACKED PRODUCT

Importers of packed products are all firms that import products that are packed in some way. The importer is the firm that owns the packed product at the moment of import.

IS A FIRM WITH A TURNOVER OF UNDER EUR 1M IN ANY WAY OBLIGATED TO ATTEND TO THE RECOVERY OF ITS PACKAGING OR TO JOIN PYR?
No, as both are based on voluntary action. Under the law a turnover of EUR 1m is set as the lower limit for a firm with the recovery obligation. A firm may nevertheless join PYR just at the cost of the registration fee whereby it will receive, for instance, the PYR Info magazine published three times per year, a certificate of membership annually and the right to use the PYR trademark and thus it is involved in the recovery of packaging.

IS A PACKAGING MANUFACTURER A PACKER?
Yes, in respect of transport packaging.

WHO IS THE PACKER IF A FIRM BUYS PACKING SERVICES FROM ANOTHER FIRM?
The firm that owns the product when it is being packed.

IS A MAIL ORDER FIRM A PACKER?
Yes.

ARE ALL A FIRM’S LOCATIONS OBLIGATED TO COME UNDER A GROUP CONTRACT MADE WITH PYR?
A firm’s total turnover is decisive in this. If it is at least EUR 1m, then all the locations belonging to the firm in question are obligated to come under the contract provided that they pack products or import packed products into the country.

A FIRM HAS TWO LOCATIONS WITH THE SAME FINNISH BUSINESS IDENTITY CODE. SHOULD BOTH REGISTER WITH PYR?
Yes, if products are packed in both locations. A discount is granted on the annual fees of the locations if the contract is a group contract.

PACKAGING

WHAT IS PACKAGING?

The definition of packaging is explained in the third paragraph of the Council of State decision 962/1997 and other documents. Packaging preserves and protects a product and enables its handling and transport from producer to user. Packaging also provides product information and helps in sales and marketing. It also facilitates in-store display of a product. All parts that reinforce or supplement packaging are deemed to be packaging. Any product that carries out the tasks of at least one packaging, for example, a one-way tray, is deemed to be packaging. Packaging may be made of any material whatsoever. Packaging constitutes sales packaging, grouped packaging and transport packaging.

ARE ROLLER CAGES OR OTHER CONVEYOR SYSTEMS, SUCH AS DOLLEYS, PACKAGING?
Yes.

ARE DISPOSABLE DISHES PACKAGING?
Disposable plates and cups are packaging, whereas disposable knives and forks are not.

ARE CD OR DVD OR VIDEO PROTECTIVE CASES PACKAGING?
No, if it concerns a commercial product where the product is meant to be kept in the case for a long time. An exception to this would be non-commercial free distribution products where both the product and packaging are “one-way”.

IS THE PROTECTIVE FILM AROUND A CD OR VIDEO CASE PACKAGING?
Yes.

IS A FLOWER POT OR OTHER SIMILAR CONTAINER PACKAGING?
Yes. An exception to this is only a container or pot in which the plant is meant to be kept for its entire life.

IS A LABEL PACKAGING?
Yes.

IS A PALLET OR PALLET WRAPPING PACKAGING?
Yes, both are.

ARE CABLE REELS PACKAGING?
Yes.

IS AN ENVELOPE PACKAGING?
According to post office definition an envelope is not packaging.

ARE VARIOUS TRAYS, SUPPORTS AND PROTECTIVE COMPONENTS USED IN TRANSPORT PACKAGING?
Yes.

ARE SUCH THINGS AS THE METAL BANDS AROUND BUNDLES OF PLANKS PACKAGING?
Yes.

WHAT MATERIALS DO STYROFOAM PACKAGING OR PET BOTTLES BELONG TO?
Both are plastic packaging. Styrofoam is an old name, but it is still used in colloquial language. It is an EPS plastic, which stands for expanded polystyrene. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate.