In cooperation with the Reclay Group, TÜV Süd is offering a new testing and certification service for the recyclability of packaging. The testing and certification process is used for packaging made of plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium, ferrous metals, wood and composite materials.
The European Union has set itself the goal of ensuring that all plastic packaging placed on the EU market is reused and recycled by 2030. To achieve this, it is focusing, among other things, on the creation of Quality standards for secondary raw materials, the promotion of certifications, binding regulations for the minimum content of recycled content in certain products or the reduction of single-use plastics.
This is where the new testing and certification service comes in: With the new TÜV Süd standard Recyclability of packaging support TÜV Süd and Reclay Group Manufacturers, bottlers, importers, online retailers, retail chains and other suppliers who sell or circulate packaged goods on the way to establishing circular economy systems.
Certification service helps with packaging optimisation
The new standard takes into account all relevant norms and standards:
- Central Agency Packaging Register - Minimum standard for the assessment of recyclability
- DIN EN 13427:2004-10 Packaging - Requirements for the application of European standards on packaging and packaging waste
- DIN EN 13430:2004 Packaging - Requirements for packaging for recycling
- ISO 15270:2008 Plastics - Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste
„The recyclability of packaging, including all individual components, is assessed in our new TÜV Süd standard, taking into account regional collection and recycling structures, sortability as a basic prerequisite for recycling and the market potential of secondary raw materials to replace primary raw materials. In combination with precise material testing, we achieve the highest level of accuracy for certification.“ Dr Robert Hermann, Business Unit Manager Environmental Technology & Climate Protection at TÜV Süd in Austria
Barbara Hettche, Senior Consultant at the Reclay Group, adds: „Even small changes often lead to significant improvements. The Use of digital technology ensures maximum transparency and a holistic assessment of the recyclability of packaging. We can also clearly show which levers should be used for any optimisations. This creates added value for companies even during the testing and certification process.“
Digital twin of the packaging
The testing and certification process takes between one and three months, depending on the product in question. Following a corresponding application, material samples as well as product and process data are obtained. Based on the product testing and the factory production control by TÜV Süd, the Reclay Group's team of experts creates a certificate of conformity. a digital twin of the packaging.
This documentation of materials, weights and dimensions enables all relevant influencing factors to be taken into account when assessing the recyclability of packaging. If desired, this step can also be supplemented by the Chair of Waste Utilisation Technology & Waste Management at the University of Leoben be scientifically monitored.
Subsequently documented TÜV South the results in an audit or final report. Once the audit and certification process has been successfully completed, the certificate is valid for three years.
SourceTÜV Süd
