The European Commission has presented a draft implementing act for calculating the mandatory recycled content under the Single-Use Plastics Directive. Specifically, the draft stipulates that until 21 November 2027, only recyclates produced in the EU from consumer waste (post-consumer waste) can be counted towards the recyclate input quotas of the Single-Use Plastics Directive.
From 21 November 2027, recyclates from OECD countries can be taken into account if they originate from consumer waste and an assessment according to the standards of the Waste Shipment Regulation shows that the requirements for environmentally sound waste management are met.
Recyclates from third countries outside the OECD may only be counted if there is a binding agreement that ensures that the recycling is carried out from consumer waste, the treatment meets environmental and health standards as set out in the EU Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging Ordinance (mirror clause), and the respective country has a comprehensive national waste management framework, including EPR systems and recyclate and recycling targets. These protective mechanisms set out in the new Packaging Ordinance (PPWR) are to be finalised by the end of 2026.
The text also contains specifications for a mass balancing procedure to account for plastics recovered through chemical recycling.
The BDE (Federal Association of the German Waste Management, Water and Recycling Industry) expressly welcomes key aspects of this draft.
