Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998

These regulations implement further parts of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive to ensure that:

Packaging volume and weight are limited to the “minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level” of safety, hygiene and protection
Packaging must be designed and produced so as to permit its reuse or recovery
Packaging must be manufactured so that noxious and other hazardous substances are minimised with heavy metal concentrations within specified limits.

The first bullet point will be of particular interest to furniture manufacturers. Trading standards officers will act as regulators for the regime and they will be able to request technical documentation from companies to demonstrate that the regulations have been complied with.