E0W - EU prepares common End-of-Waste rules for recycled plastics
2026.08.27 - 08:30
• The European Commission is proposing harmonised End-of-Waste criteria for plastic waste. • The draft covers thermoplastics and mixtures of thermoplastics processed through mechanical recycling or solvent-based dissolution recycling. • It introduces requirements concerning material quality, traceability, statements of conformity and quality management systems. • The proposal also contains important provisions for recycled materials produced outside the EU and placed on the European market as non-waste. • The regulation has not yet been adopted. The deadline for comments is 20 September 2026. • Plastinfo has published a detailed examination of the proposal and its potential consequences for industry in the ANALYSIS section.
Europe is moving towards an important step in creating a more harmonised market for recycled plastics. The European Commission has proposed common criteria for determining when material resulting from the recycling of plastic waste can legally cease to be considered waste and achieve End-of-Waste status. The draft introduces requirements covering accepted input materials, recycling processes, recyclate quality, traceability, statements of conformity and quality management systems. Among the provisions with direct relevance for industry are the proposed limit of less than 1.9% foreign material, an electronic statement of conformity for each consignment and periodic verification of the quality management system. One particularly important element concerns imports. The draft establishes specific conditions for recycled materials originating from facilities outside the European Union when they are to be placed on the EU market as non-waste materials. For European markets in rPE, rPP, rPET and other recycled thermoplastics, these rules could have implications for documentation, traceability, compliance costs and commercial relationships between suppliers and buyers. The proposal is not yet legislation in force. It was notified on 6 August 2026, and the comment period remains open until 20 September 2026.Plastinfo Analysis
Which materials are covered? Which recycling technologies qualify? What does the 1.9% threshold actually mean? What documentation would have to accompany recyclates? What could change for imports from outside the EU? And how does End-of-Waste interact with PPWR? Plastinfo examines the Commission proposal and its potential implications for recyclers, importers, compounders and processors in a new article published in the ANALYSIS section: When does recycled plastic cease to be waste? Europe prepares common End-of-Waste rules • Read the full articleSource
European Commission – G/TBT/N/EU/1229 – Draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Directive 2008/98/EC