Updates

The Designing for a Circular Economy (D4ACE) guidelines have been a trusted reference for packaging professionals since their launch in 2020 – helping the industry design flexible packaging that is recyclable and aligned with circularity goals.

It was one of the first initiatives to translate recyclability challenges into clear, practical design guidance – and it continues to evolve as technologies, data and infrastructure advance.

The guidelines are a living resource, openly available and regularly updated. All testing results, methodologies and supporting documentation are made available at guidelines.ceflex.eu — ensuring transparency and enabling others to build on this shared foundation.

An online design check tool has been updated to reflect the latest design guidance – helping users apply it consistently and engage partners with greater clarity.

Future phases of testing where collective action builds collective insights will continue, reaffirming CEFLEX’s commitment to continuous improvement for the circularity of flexible packaging.

D4ACE is not about perfection or owning the answers – it’s about making meaningful progress, together. And staying ready for what comes next.

Major updates and clarifications to ensure this is achieved are detailed here:

September 2025

‘Phase 2’ testing revision delivers expanded testing, richer data, improved understanding and sharper detail.

Key changes:

More precise thresholds, end of life education and real-world examples that reduce ambiguity and increase confidence in design decisions
Updated and detailed insights for each material used in flexible packaging – with specific design collection, sorting and recycling considerations to consider

This updated design guidance and the detailed Phase 2 testing that supports it is:

Open access by design: All major reports, including NIR, eddy current, metal detection, size and shape, mechanical recyclability, as well as mechanical recyclability testing methodology, are available to download or on request
Reviewed and academically supported, with contributions from leading researchers at Maastricht University, Queen’s University Belfast and Ghent University

August 2023

Changes to D4ACE Technical Report and Summary Tables for mixed PO structures

Motivation:

After three years of ‘Designing for a Circular Economy’ guidelines in action, minor clarifications and amendments to design guidance based on feedback from users and stakeholders that CEFLEX should provide design guidance for mixed PO structures.

Key changes:

Summary Tables – the guidelines now provide three separate tables for PE, PP and PO. Content of the original combined summary table has been updated to separate the guidance for PE, PP and PO flexible packaging structures. This applies to the column headings for compatible, limited compatibility and not compatible; materials including thresholds; adhesives; additives and fillers; labels and recycled content
Technical Report – amended wording to clarify CEFLEX’s preference for mono-materials whilst recognising the role of mixed PO structures, the role of design, some terminology updates and references to Phase 2 testing programme timing