The PET value chain takes a further step towards high-quality PET recycling.

Industry guidance on certification schemes supporting compliance with EU Regulation on Recycled Plastics for Food Contact.

Brussels, 16 June 2025 – A joint initiative of EuPC, EXPRA, EPRO, NMWE, PETCORE Europe, and UNESDA has led to the publication of a comprehensive guidance document to support waste management operators and sorters in setting up third-party certification of quality assurance systems for recycled materials and articles. Such a certification is required by Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended for food contact.

This guidance represents a PET value chain initiative to provide transparency and clarity, and a practical tool to ensure that recycled plastics used in food contact applications are both safe and traceable. It provides a detailed interpretation of legal requirements under Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, translating them into actionable criteria for the collection, sorting, and final pre-processing of operators.

“This guidance is the result of extensive collaboration among experts in food contact regulation, waste management, recycling, conversion, and packaging. It aims to ensure the safety of PET. ​ We developed it to support businesses in meeting the relevant EU requirements”, explained Raphael Jaumotte, Technical Manager at PETCORE EUROPE, who coordinated the joint effort. ​ ​

The document also outlines how non-EU operators must meet equivalent requirements to ensure parity in standards, including proof of compliance with EU food contact legislation.

With the adoption of the certification, the PET value chain reaffirms its commitment to circularity and high - quality recycling in the EU.

 

To read the full document, please follow the link: Requirements for a Quality Assurance System implementing Article 6 of Regulation (EU) Nº 2022/1616 for collection, sorting operations and final pre-processing producing plastic input.

 

For further information, please contact:

Raphael Jaumotte (raphael.jaumotte@petcore-europe.org)

 

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About Petcore Europe

Petcore Europe is the association representing the complete PET value chain in Europe since 1993.

Its mission is to ensure that the entire PET industry is well aligned to enhance its value and sustainable growth, to represent the PET industry before the European institutions and other stakeholders, to ensure that PET is positioned as an outstanding packaging material and recognised as environmentally sound, to support and validate innovative packaging solutions from a recycling perspective, and to work with all interested parties to ensure a continuous increase of PET post-consumer collection and recycling.

PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) is a strong but lightweight form of polyester. It is used to make containers for soft drinks, juices, drinks, water, edible oil, fresh food and dairy as well as household cleaners and other non-food applications. PET bottles and food containers, such as sheets and trays are perfectly recyclable while they help to reduce CO2 emissions and food waste.

Contact

Avenue de Broqueville 12 1150 Brussels, Belgium

+32 (0) 2 315 24 88

management@petcore-europe.org

www.petcore-europe.org