The European Commission has adopted new regulations for the recycling of single-use PET beverage bottles. For the first time, a standardised method for calculating, verifying, and reporting chemically recycled plastic will be introduced. The regulation aims to increase transparency and promote investment in plastic recycling.
The new requirements are part of the plastics package presented by the European Commission in December 2025. They create a common framework for accounting for recycled content in new single-use PET bottles and apply to both mechanical and chemical recycling processes. This will enable Member States to better implement the requirements of the Single-Use Plastics Directive regarding the recycled content in beverage bottles.
Chemical recycling complements mechanical processes
According to the Commission, mechanical recycling remains the most important process for plastic recovery. However, it reaches its limits with certain waste streams, such as contaminated plastics, composite materials, or plastics with additives. In such cases, chemical recycling can be a useful supplement.
This breaks down plastics into their molecular components. These can then be used as starting materials for new plastics or other chemical products. This aims to return additional plastic waste to the recycling loop and also enables applications with high quality requirements, such as food packaging.
Credit for recyclates to be gradually expanded
Initially, only recycled materials from the European Union and the European Economic Area will count towards the EU recycled material targets. From 21 November 2027, this will also apply to recycled plastics from OECD countries, provided they are not excluded under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation.
Recyclates from non-OECD countries can also be taken into account in future. The prerequisite is that corresponding agreements ensure equivalent requirements for environmental and health protection, as are stipulated, among other things, in the Waste Framework Directive and the Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR).
„Europe's plastic recycling sector is under increasing pressure. The new regulations for chemical recycling are part of the response to this challenge. With clearer rules on chemically recycled content, we are giving the industry the certainty it needs to invest and innovate. This is a concrete step to support the sector, complement mechanical recycling, and advance innovative technologies such as chemical recycling. This will strengthen our competitiveness and keep Europe on track for a circular economy.“
Jessika Roswall, Member of the Commission for Environment, Resilient Water Supply and Competitive Circular Economy
Greater transparency for recycled content calculation
According to the Commission, recycled content shall in future be credited solely on the basis of credible, traceable and environmentally sound standards. The implementing act will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states had previously agreed to the proposal in February 2026. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was also involved in the procedure.
Source: European Commission
