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New GS1 US Guidance Helps Foodservice, Food Retail Companies Meet Packaging EPR Requirements

hands holding up single-use paper food packaging items — Image credit: rawpixel via Magnific

GS1 US has published “GS1 US Guidance for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Packaging Requirements,” a new resource developed by the GS1 US Cross-Industry EPR Workgroup, designed to help retail grocery and foodservice companies prepare for new and expanding state-level packaging EPR requirements to support sustainability.

Created for brands, retailers, associations, and solutions providers impacted by EPR laws, the new guideline responds to the need for scalable, reliable packaging data management, and demonstrates how GS1 Standards can be leveraged for EPR packaging reporting.

To meet EPR packaging reporting requirements, producers must collect and report detailed packaging information to a designated Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), which helps entities manage collection, reporting, and funding obligations tied to foodservice wares, paper products, and packaging at end of life. Since EPR packaging requirements impact multiple parts of the organization, the resource is designed for stakeholders across packaging, supply chain, sustainability, legal, master data, and product development functions. At present, seven states have enacted EPR packaging laws, and others are exploring similar legislation.

The guideline demonstrates how companies can leverage GS1 identifiers such as Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and Global Location Numbers (GLNs), along with defined product and packaging attributes to:

Identify products and packaging at multiple levels across the supply chain
Capture material, weight, and sustainability information consistently
Share information with trading partners using a standard format
Improve data accuracy and reduce errors in EPR reporting.

Specifically, the guideline aims to help the foodservice industry communicate product data for single-use items and paper products, and all industries improve visibility across complex packaging hierarchies while strengthening their product data foundations to support product and packaging obligations.

By using a consistent data structure, companies can improve transparency across the supply chain and manage EPR requirements more efficiently as new state programs are introduced.

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The Food Safety Magazine editorial team comprises Bailee Henderson, Director of Content Strategy and news editor ✉, and Adrienne Blume, M.A., Director of Editorial and Industry Engagement.