The answer can be divided into two parts: what an e-marking system entails and how the recognition process unfolds.

What an e-marking system entails:

An e-marking system describes what the packager does to ensure that the e-prepackages meet the requirements.

The following topics are covered:

1. Dosing and filling (including: product, filling principle, speed, number of filling heads, target value, standard deviation, adjustment options)
2. Measuring instruments for prepackages, density, and packaging material (including: brand, type, accuracy/unit of measurement, measuring range, and, if applicable, weighing speed, method, and frequency of calibration)
3. Collection of measurement results for prepackages, density, and packaging material (100% or sampling frequency and size)
4. Processing of measurement results into “decision information” and presentation of “decision information”
5. Evaluation of “decision information” (by whom, acceptance and rejection criteria)
6. Reprocessing of rejected e-prepackages
7. Records and instructions

How the recognition process unfolds:

A company seeking e-marking recognition contacts NMi via e-merk@nmi.nl. NMi provides a quotation, and once signed and payment is made, the recognition process begins.

The recognition process consists of two stages: preliminary recognition and definitive recognition.

Preliminary recognition: Based on a visit to the packager, the actions taken by the packager to ensure that their e-prepackages meet the requirements are documented. If everything is in order, the e-marking system is provisionally recognized. Preliminary recognition is valid for six months, during which the packager implements the described e-marking system.

After receiving preliminary recognition, the packager may start using the e-marking on their prepackages.

To prepare for the process, the packager should have the information under points a and b available for each filling line during the initial visit. The packager will receive a form to fill in with that information during the application.

Evaluation for definitive recognition: During a second visit to the packager, the suitability of the provisionally recognized system and whether the packager is fulfilling the agreed-upon requirements are evaluated. Based on this evaluation, advice is provided regarding the definitive recognition of the e-marking system. It is also possible that a new preliminary recognition may need to be issued, followed by another evaluation.