Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced a comprehensive set of certification criteria covering beverage bottles, household cleaning products, and cosmetics packaging. The measures aim to increase the use of recycled materials, reduce overall plastic consumption, and streamline recycling processes across multiple packaging categories. These new rules, which build upon Japan’s existing Design Guidelines for Plastic-Containing Products, will come into force on 24 January 2026 and represent a significant step in the country’s progress toward a more circular and resource-efficient economy.
Under the new system, companies must undergo a formal assessment and submit technical data to demonstrate compliance. Once a product meets the criteria, it becomes eligible to be promoted under Japan’s Green Purchasing Law. This may give certified products preferential visibility in public procurement and could enable further support for recycling infrastructure. The goal is to encourage companies to invest in better packaging design while ensuring consumers have access to more sustainable choices.
Beverage packaging, particularly PET bottles, is subject to detailed rules that differ depending on the bottle’s intended application. Aseptic-use bottles must be made exclusively from PET without additional substances, except in cases where non-PET materials are proven safe, hygienic, and recyclable. Labels cannot contain PVC, and caps are also restricted from using PVC or aluminium. For pressure-resistant bottles, the bottles must remain uncoloured and the labels must be designed to detach easily during recycling processes such as air classification or washing. Caps for these bottles must be made from materials with a specific gravity that enables efficient separation during recycling.
More complex requirements apply to bottles designed for both heat and pressure resistance. In these cases, handles must be manufactured from uncoloured PET, PE, or PP with a specific gravity that facilitates recycling. Any printing inks used must not remain adhered to the bottle during the recycling process.
Cosmetics packaging receives its own set of requirements, particularly for common household products such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and hand soap. Refillable packs must be made exclusively from PET, PE, or PP and must comply with food-grade standards. Components such as caps and dispensers must be separable from the main container. PE and PP packs must be uncoloured or white and must maintain a specific gravity below 0.97 grams per cubic centimetre, while PET packs must be uncoloured, though this requirement does not apply to their accessories. Printing on the body of the packaging is generally disallowed except when laser printing is used. Depending on the pack size and product type, up to 60% of the material may need to be derived from recycled sources.
26 January 2026
26 January 2026
23 January 2026
23 January 2026