This document outlines design certification standards for plastic products under Japan's Plastic Resource Circulation Promotion Act. The certification system recognizes products with superior environmental design to promote plastic resource circulation.
The standards cover four product categories: PET bottles for soft drinks, food containers, shopping bags, and electronic equipment housing. Each category has specific criteria for recyclability, use of recycled materials, durability, and end-of-life management.
Key design principles include:
- Incorporation of recycled content in new products
- Design for recyclability and material recovery
- Reduction of overall plastic use where possible
- Extended producer responsibility considerations
The certification aims to incentivize manufacturers to adopt circular design principles and consumers to choose environmentally preferable products, contributing to Japan's goal of creating a circular economy for plastic resources.