The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced on August 3 the entry into force of a revised ministerial ordinance expanding the scope of label-free PET bottles. The “Ordinance Partially Amending the Ministerial Ordinance Establishing Standard Labelling Requirements for PET (polyethylene terephthalate) Containers Filled with Beverages or Specified Seasonings,” issued under Article 51, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilisation of Resources, was promulgated on July 30 and took effect on the same day. On August 3, the day of the announcement, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Komori participated in a public outreach event on resource circulation policy to mark the ordinance’s entry into force.
Under the previous ordinance, PET mark labelling on PET bottles was required in two forms: an embossed marking on the bottom or side of the container, and a printed or adhesive label on the side of the container. From April 2020, label-free bottles—where the PET mark on individual bottles was omitted—had been permitted for boxed (multi-pack) sales only, provided the outer box displayed the PET mark.
The revision reflects confirmation that consumers can engage in the same recycling behaviour as before using the embossed marking alone. Accordingly, for individually sold PET bottles, the requirement to display the PET mark on a label has been waived where no label is otherwise required under other laws and regulations. The revision was preceded by deliberations at the Containers and Packaging Recycling Working Group of the Industrial Structure Council (an advisory body to METI) and a public comment process, the results of which were published alongside the ordinance.
Following the regulatory change, the beverage industry has begun moving to deploy label-free products through vending machines. The Coca-Cola system announced that it will begin selling “I LOHAS Natural Water Label-Free” through vending machines across Japan from October 2026, on a rolling basis. The product was first launched as a label-free offering in April 2020 and has until now been sold primarily in case quantities through online retail channels. According to a consumer survey by the Japan Soft Drink Association, approximately 80% of respondents remove both the cap and label at home, while only around 30% do so outdoors, indicating a significant gap in sorting compliance between indoor and outdoor settings. The Coca-Cola system aims to address this challenge by making label-free products available through vending machines—a familiar out-of-home channel—thereby improving convenience and promoting recycling outside the home.
At present, the Coca-Cola system is the only company to have announced a label-free vending machine rollout; however, the revised ordinance applies to PET bottle beverages in general and is not limited to any specific company. On August 3, the day of the announcement, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori participated in a public outreach event on resource circulation policy to mark the ordinance’s entry into force. Iitsuji, Chairman of the Japan Soft Drink Association, and Ikeda, Head of the Environment and Energy Division at the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), also attended, and the event served to publicise the regulatory change with the participation of industry bodies.
【Press Release】Promulgation and Entry into Force of the Ministerial Ordinance Expanding the Scope of Label-Free PET Bottles, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori’s Participation in an Event to Promote the Initiative
【Press Release】Making It Easier to Recycle PET Bottles On the Go by Eliminating the Need to Remove Labels—Coca-Cola Vending Machines to Begin Handling Label-Free Products, with “I LOHAS Natural Water Label-Free” Rolling Out Nationwide from October
【Reference Article】2025 Consumer Awareness Survey on Soft Drink Container Recycling
【Related Article】METI Considers Permitting Label-Free Single-Unit PET Bottle Sales
【Related Article】METI’s Industrial Structure Council Begins Work on Regulatory Framework to Promote CE Commerce, Covering Home Appliances, Clothing, Office Furniture and More
