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non-final version. Committee members may request permission to reproduce, quote from, and/or circulate this document to persons or
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TG Submission
NSF 426 TG 8 – Product Packaging
TG 8 status summary: TG 8 is forwarding 6 recommended criteria to the JC, 4 prerequisites and 2
optional. Two additional optional criteria are still under development.
The TG modified several criteria found in the November draft standard, and proposes 3 new packaging
criteria focused on packaging volume reduction.
Points
Criterion Number and Title
Status*
Reference
(optional
document
criteria
only)
Prerequisite Criteria
8.1.1 Elimination of substances of
N/A
TG
concern
Recommendation
8.1.2 Recyclable packaging materials
N/A
TG
Recommendation
8.1.3 Total recycled fiber content in
TG
N/A
packaging
Recommendation
8.1.4 Elimination of individual packaging
TG
N/A
for hardware and components
Recommendation
Optional Criteria
8.2.1 Compostable and/or recyclable
Still Under
?
packaging
Development
8.2.2 Reusable packaging
Still Under
?
Development
8.3.1 Optimization of packaging system to
TG
1
reduce packaging volume
Recommendation
8.3.2 Use of multi-packs to reduce
TG
packaging volume and waste during
1
Recommendation
customer installation
*For status, identify one of the following categories:

TG Recommendation

Options for JC Consideration

Still Under Development
© 2014 NSF International and Green Electronics Council
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
This document is part of the NSF International standard development process. This document is subject to change and may be a draft and/or
non-final version. Committee members may request permission to reproduce, quote from, and/or circulate this document to persons or
entities outside of their organization after first receiving written permission from NSF International and Green Electronics Council. Send
written requests to NSF International that include notice of to whom and for what purpose this document is to be shared.
8
Product Packaging
8.1 Prerequisites
8.1.1 Elimination of Substances of Concern
8.1.1 Elimination of Substances of Concern in Product Packaging (TC Recommendation)
Product packaging shall not contain Llead, mercury, cadmium or or hexavalent chromium above above
100 ppm total for the four metals combined in any packaging component in accordance with the
European Union Packaging Directive 94/62/EC and the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation.
8.1.2 Packaging Materials (TC Recommendation)
Product packaging shall meet the following requirements.

All non-reusable packaging components > 25 g shall be separable into identified material streams
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, with the exception of plastic films or stretch wrap.
Question for JC: Should this criterion also explicitly require packaging material to be recyclable, and
further define how “recyclable” is measured? For example, combine 8.1.2 & 8.2.1?
JC – TG to work on this criterion more; poll on development criterion for preferable materials – all
in favor
8.1.3 Total Recycled Fiber Content in Packaging (TC Recommendation)
Fiber-based packaging materials shall contain the at a minimum the recycled fiber contents shown in
Table 8.1. In their packaging specifications, m Manufacturers shall give preference in purchasing to the
maximum available postconsumer recycled fiber content.
“Not Applicable” may be declared on the Product Registry by manufacturer if the product packaging does
not contain fiber-based packaging.
Table 8.1
Percentage
Percentage Total
Postconsumer
Packaging Category
Recycled Fiber
Recycled Fiber
(by weight)
(by weight)
Corrugated containers:
- <300 psi
- 300 psi
25-50
25-30
25-50
25-30
Solid Fiber Boxes
40
40
Folding Cartons
40-80
100
Industrial paperboard (e.g., tubes, cores, drums, and cans)
45-100
100
Miscellaneous (e.g., pad backs, mailing tubes, protective
75-100
90-100
© 2014 NSF International and Green Electronics Council
This document is part of the NSF International standard development process. This document is subject to change and may be a draft and/or
non-final version. Committee members may request permission to reproduce, quote from, and/or circulate this document to persons or
entities outside of their organization after first receiving written permission from NSF International and Green Electronics Council. Send
written requests to NSF International that include notice of to whom and for what purpose this document is to be shared.
packaging)
Padded mailers
5-15
5-15
Carrierboard
10-15
10-100
Brown papers (e.g., wrapping paper and bags)
5-20
5-40
Source: US EPA's Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Paperboard and Packaging Products,
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/cpg/products/paperproducts.htm#paperboard
8.1.4 Elimination of individual packaging for hardware and components (TC Recommendation)
All hardware and components required for normal operation of the server (and shipped with the
product) shall be shipped inside the server. No hardware shall be shipped in individual or separate
packaging either within the packaging container or within the server product.
8.2 Compostable, Recyclable and Reusable Packaging (Optional)
8.2.1 Compostable, and/or Recyclable and Reusable Packaging (Optional) (Still Under Development)
Packaging materials for the product shall be either compostable and/or recyclable as defined in
Normative Annex XY. Points shall be awarded in accordance with Table 8.2.
For reusable packaging, this criterion may be met by manufacturers operating a returnable packaging
system that demonstrates that the product packaging is reused at least 5 times. Points shall be awarded
based on the percentage of all packaging materials reused within the returnable packaging system in
accordance with Table 8.2. Packaging components include all crates, pallets, fiber-based materials,
foams, plastic bags, wraps and films, strapping, etc.
Table 8.2
Percentage Compostable and/or Recyclable/Reusable
Packaging
(by weight)
≥ 90 %
≥ 99 %
Points
1
2
This criterion may be declared differently by region or country.
Question for JC: Should requirement for recyclable packaging be included in prerequisite 8.1.2, as noted
above?
8.2.2 Reusable Packaging (Optional) (Still Under Development)
Manufacturer shall operate a returnable packaging system that demonstrates that the product
packaging is designed for reuse at least 5 times. An additional point shall be awarded for
demonstration of reuse. Packaging components include all crates, pallets, fiber-based materials,
foams, plastic bags, wraps and films, strapping, etc.
This criterion may be declared differently by region or country.
© 2014 NSF International and Green Electronics Council
This document is part of the NSF International standard development process. This document is subject to change and may be a draft and/or
non-final version. Committee members may request permission to reproduce, quote from, and/or circulate this document to persons or
entities outside of their organization after first receiving written permission from NSF International and Green Electronics Council. Send
written requests to NSF International that include notice of to whom and for what purpose this document is to be shared.
© 2014 NSF International and Green Electronics Council
This document is part of the NSF International standard development process. This document is subject to change and may be a draft and/or
non-final version. Committee members may request permission to reproduce, quote from, and/or circulate this document to persons or
entities outside of their organization after first receiving written permission from NSF International and Green Electronics Council. Send
written requests to NSF International that include notice of to whom and for what purpose this document is to be shared.
Note for JC: TG is struggling with how to truly achieve the objective of reusable packaging, given the
global supply chain, and pass through of some packaging materials from component/contract
manufacturers to end use customers.
8.3 Packaging reduction
8.3.1 Optimization of packaging system to reduce excess packaging (Optional) (TC Recommendation)
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.
Performance testing shall be conducted on the product packaging to determine the required level of
protection and avoid excess packaging. Consideration should be given to product redesign in cases where
product fragility requires extra protection. Packaging performance shall be re-evaluated on a schedule
not exceeding 3 years from initial evaluation. Conformance to this criterion requires documentation of
performance testing on the packaging within the past 2 years.
8.3.2 Use of multi-packs to reduce packaging volume and waste during customer installation (Optional)
(TC Recommendation)
Multiple servers (two or more) shall be packaged and shipped within a single container when shipped to
the same address. Servers shipped in a server rack shall conform to this criterion. Manufacturer shall
declare the multi-pack options and the percentage reduction in packaging waste during customer
installation of equipment compared to single unit packaging.
© 2014 NSF International and Green Electronics Council