The European Commission has launched a public consultation on new rules for calculating, verifying and reporting the recycled content of single-use plastic drinks bottles. Chemically recycled content is to be included for the first time. The measure is part of the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) and supports the EU's recycling targets.
The new guidelines aim to promote investment in recycling technologies and create a standardised calculation basis for companies. This should benefit both the competitiveness of the European chemical industry and the manufacturing industry and position Europe as a centre of innovation for sustainable plastics recycling.
Chemical recycling to be recognised in future
The rules are based on the principle of „fuel-use excluded“ allocation, i.e. plastic waste that is used to generate energy may not be categorised as recycled content. The EU is thus following the definition of „recycling“ in waste framework legislation. The calculation logic is also to be applied in other areas such as automotive engineering, packaging and textiles in future.
Mechanical recycling remains the favoured method as it is generally more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. However, in areas with high quality requirements, such as food packaging, chemical recycling is seen as a necessary addition.
Verification and relief for SMEs
Transparent verification is a central element of the new rules: complex value-added stages in chemical recycling are subject to an annual third-party audit. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) only have to provide this verification every three years. Companies are also obliged to check the self-declarations of their business partners, while national authorities carry out risk-based inspections.
The public consultation will run until 19 August 2025 via the EU's „Have Your Say“ portal. The final adoption by the member states in the relevant committee is scheduled for autumn 2025.
Background: Recycling targets in the SUPD
The Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) requires a recyclate content of 25 per cent in single-use PET bottles by 2025 and 30 per cent in all plastic bottles by 2030. Implementation takes place in two stages: Firstly, a method for mechanical recycling was defined (Decision 2023/2683). The second stage, which has now been consulted on, is to include all recycling processes - including chemical recycling.
Source: European Commission
