Since July 2024 the EU requires caps on plastic beverage containers to stay attached to the container. Here is what that means for anyone exporting PET drinks to Europe.
The rule in plain terms
Article 6 of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP 2019/904) requires caps and lids to remain tethered to beverage containers up to three litres for the whole use phase — in force across the EU since July 2024. The newer Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) reinforces the same direction on recyclability and recycled content.
Which formats it covers
Single-use plastic beverage containers up to 3 L — water, CSD and juice. Glass and metal are out of scope. If you export PET drinks into the EU, you need tethered caps on those lines.
The closure side
Tethered caps use a hinge or band that keeps the cap connected to the tamper-evidence ring after opening. The standard CSD PCO 1881 neck is tethered-ready, as are lightweight water finishes — so most lines convert without a neck change.
Comply with Delta
Delta El Nile for Industry supplies tethered closures for EU markets. Pick the neck and closure in the Product Finder, or build an RFQ stating an EU destination so we confirm the tethered options for your line.