Electrical appliances

Packaging requirements

The packaging in which the electrical product is packed is also subject to requirements. The packages have restrictions on certain heavy metals, and they must also meet the basic requirements for packaging. The company that manufactures the packaging or imports the packaging to Finland is responsible for its conformity with requirements.

Packaging may contain a maximum of 100 milligrams per kilogram of:

• cadmium
• lead
• mercury
• hexavalent chromium.

The use of identification markings for materials used in the package is voluntary in Finland. If a company labels packaging with the materials used for the packaging, the labelling must be made in accordance with Annex 3 of the Finnish Government Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste. The numbering methods and abbreviations used for the identification of packaging materials are laid down in the Annex. For example, the abbreviation for corrugated cardboard is PAP, and the number is 20.

The basic requirements are related to the manufacture, composition, reusability and recoverability of packaging. According to the basic requirements, packaging must:

• be as small and light as possible
• meet the required levels of safety, hygiene and acceptability
• contain as little harmful and hazardous substances as possible
• endure several rounds of transport and use
• include a certain percentage of recyclable material if the packaging is recyclable.

The basic requirements have been explained in Annex 2 to the Finnish Government Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste.

Producer responsibility also applies to packaging. Read more about producer responsibility in the Waste electrical and electronic equipment and producer responsibility section.

Labelling requirements for packaging

The legislation on electrical products does not impose any direct requirements on their packaging, but there are requirements for sales.  The consumer must be able to make a purchase decision for an electrical product without opening the product’s packaging. In other words, consumers must be able to determine whether they can use the product safely. The information provided must not be misleading (for example, the package of an electrical product that is intended for indoor use must not contain an image of the appliance in outdoor use).

The information to be provided includes:

• Operating voltage: Whether the product is connected to the mains supply or operates on batteries or an accumulator.
• Warnings
• Age or size restrictions (for example, toys)
• Restrictions related to the conditions of use (e.g. for indoor or outdoor use only)
• The product is intended for professional use only
• Only a qualified professional is allowed to install the product
• Due to its EMC properties, the product is unsuitable for use in a residential area
• Use of the product requires additional parts or devices which are not delivered with the product
• The need for special tools during assembly, for example

In the case of electrical equipment subject to an energy labelling requirement, the energy label must be displayed on the packaging of the product only if there is no display unit of the product and its energy labels, or if it is a light source.

An electrical equipment does not need packaging if the necessary information, safety information and user instructions that might affect the purchase decision can be provided on the product or on a sticker attached to the product, for example.

Read more about packaging:

The Tukes website: Packaging and packaging waste

Producer responsibility – Producer responsibility – ELY Centre

Commission’s website on packaging and packaging waste