NSF 457 PV Modules

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NSF 457 PV Modules

TG Status Report

Packaging

TG Members

Name / Company / Interest Category / Role
Jorma Peltola / Cybrid Technologies / Industry / Member
Patty Dillon / Green Electronics Council / General Interest / Group Chair
Juia Harnad / SolarCity Corporation / User / Member
Jake West / SolarCity Corporation / User / Member
Wade, Mr. Andreas / SolarPower Europe / Industry / Member
Chris Bennett / SolarWorld Americas Inc. / Industry / Member
Eric Olson / SolarWorld Americas Inc. / Industry / Member
Status Summary:
· The TG will convene its first meeting in June.
· Additional members are sought, particularly in the Public Health/Regulatory category.
· The summary of criteria below is the starting draft for the TG discussions, following the February F2F meeting.
· Includes 4 required & 2 optional criteria addressing the following topics:
¾ Elimination of heavy metals in packaging
¾ Design for recyclability
¾ Recycled fiber content
¾ Elimination of chlorine as bleaching agent
¾ Packaging system evaluation to reduce excess packaging
Criterion Number and Title / Required/ Optional / Status
Section 11 Product Packaging
11.1.1 Elimination of substances of concern in product packaging / Required / Not yet discussed
11.1.2 Enhancing recyclability of packaging materials / Required / Not yet discussed
11.1.3 Recycled content fiber in packaging / Required /

Not yet discussed

11.2.1 Higher recycled content fiber in packaging / Optional / Not yet discussed
11.1.4 Elimination of chlorine in processing packaging materials / Required / Not yet discussed
11.3.1 Optimization of packaging system to reduce excess packaging / Optional / Not yet discussed

11 Product packaging

11.1 Prerequisites

11.1.1 Elimination of substances of concern in product packaging (Not yet discussed by TG)

Product packaging shall not contain lead, mercury, cadmium or hexavalent chromium above a total of 100 ppm for the four metals combined in any packaging component, in accordance with the European Union Packaging Directive and the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation.

11.1.2 Enhancing recyclability of packaging materials (Not yet discussed by TG)

Product packaging shall meet the following requirements:

- All non-reusable packaging components ≥25 g shall be separable by material type, including by plastic material type specified in the bullet below, without the use of tools, with the exception of labels affixed to plastics bags or wraps, staples, and nails in pallets.

- All plastics ≥ 25 g shall be clearly marked with material type in accordance with ISO 11469/1043, ASTM D7611/D7611M, or DIN[1], with the exception of plastic films.

11.1.3 Recycled content fiber in packaging (Not yet discussed by TG)

Fiber-based packaging materials shall contain a minimum percentage recycled content fiber (by fiber weight) as specified in Table 11.x. Manufacturers shall also state a preference in purchasing specifications, which are applicable to the product, for a minimum 25 percent postconsumer recycled content fiber (by fiber weight). Fiber-based packaging materials derived from alternative sources to traditional paper mill products (such as bamboo or mushrooms) are exempt from this recycled fiber requirement and shall not be included in the calculation of recycled content.

Table 11.x

Packaging Category / Percentage Recycled Content Fiber (by fiber weight)
Corrugated containers / 50
All other fiber-based packaging / 80

11.1.4 Elimination of chlorine in processing packaging materials (Not yet discussed by TG)

Manufacturer shall document with a supplier letter that any fiber-based materials used in packaging was not bleached with chlorine compounds. This requirement applies to the bleaching of fiber-based materials (including recycled fiber) and their fabrication into packaging for server products declared to conform to this standard, and not to prior uses of the fiber.

11.2 Recycled content packaging (optional)

11.2.1 Higher recycled content fiber in packaging (Not yet discussed by TG)

Fiber-based packaging materials shall contain a minimum percentage recycled content fiber (by fiber weight) as specified in Table 11.x.

Table 11.x

Packaging Category / Percentage Recycled Content Fiber (by fiber weight)
Corrugated containers / 80
All other fiber-based packaging / 100

If the product packaging does not contain fiber-based packaging “Not Applicable” may be declared.

This criterion may be declared differently in different countries or regions.

Point value: 1

11.3 Packaging reduction (optional)

11.3.1 Optimization of packaging system to reduce excess packaging (Not yet discussed by TG)

Manufacturers shall routinely evaluate packaging systems with the goal of reducing the amount of packaging materials used while providing appropriate levels of protection for the products shipped. Optional points (not to exceed 4 points) are awarded for a) packaging system evaluation (1 point); b) documentation of a reduction in the amount (by weight) of packaging materials (up to 2 points); and c) optimization of the packaging system (2 points).

Note - The Global Protocol on Packaging Sustainability 2.0 may provide useful guidance in the implementation of this criterion.

11.3.1a Packaging system evaluation

Performance testing shall be conducted on the product packaging to determine the required level of protection and avoid excess packaging. As per ISO 18602, Packaging and the environment: Optimization of the packaging system, manufacturer shall determine and substantiate the single performance criterion that dictates the weight of each packaging constituent for delivery of the product to the customer. Consideration should be given to product redesign in cases where product fragility requires extra protection. Conformance to this criterion requires documentation of performance testing on the packaging applicable to this product conducted within at most two years prior to declaration of conformance to this criterion. (1 point)

11.3.1b Demonstration of packaging reduction

Manufacturer shall document at least a 10% reduction in the amount of packaging materials used in the delivery of the product. Table 8.3 provides examples of packaging reduction strategies eligible for optional points, the metric that shall be used to demonstrate and document the reduction, and additional documentation requirements for specific reduction strategies. These strategies may be implemented to reduce packaging between the manufacturer and its suppliers, between the manufacturer and end-use customers, or both.

Documentation of packaging material reductions shall include at a minimum:

- A description of the change that resulted in a reduction in the amount of packaging materials, including the implementation date;

- A listing of all packaging materials and their weight used in the immediate previous and current packaging system for which a material reduction is claimed;

- Calculation demonstrating packaging reduction using metric in Table 11.x;

- The amount of packaging reduced annually, including the total for the packaging system and by material. If the strategy was implemented within the previous 18 months (to either the declaration of conformance to this criterion or product verification), an estimate of the reduction is acceptable.

- If the amount of packaging material is reduced due to the use of an alternative material, the manufacturer must demonstrate a net reduction in environmental impact (e.g., reduction in toxicity or life cycle energy use).

Manufacturer shall earn one optional point for implementation and documentation of each packaging reduction strategy, up to 2 points. Conformance to this criterion requires documentation of packaging reduction as specified above, which is applicable to this product and implemented for the declared product within at most two years prior to declaration of conformance to this criterion.

i) [1] DIN 6120-1 - Marking of packaging and packaging materials for recycling purposes - Plastics packaging and packaging materials - Part 1: Graphical symbols (http://www.en-standard.eu)