Industrial Recycling Compliance Standards

🚨 And the sequel is live: the latest addition to norms and regulations pushing for more circularity and digitization in plastics: DIN SPEC 91481. 🚨 It is the world's first standard for high-quality #plastic recycling and #digitization for polyamides. It highlights the crucial, yet often overlooked role of digitization in closing the loop for plastics. Without digitization, true circularity for plastics will not be possible. The standard introduces: 💿 Data Quality Levels (DQLs) for plastic recyclates and plastic waste feedstock, classifying them based on the available data of the material ✍ Definitions improving clarity in interactions concerning waste-to-product-to-waste value-chains 🇪🇺 Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements for recyclates and waste 🚴♂️ Recommendations on how to collect, process and transmit the data across the entire life-cycle. After the success of DIN SPEC 91446 and VDA 284, establishing a new system of recyclates classification towards more and better circularity of plastics in general, I am absolutely delighted that 18 organizations followed our call-to-action to standardize the important fields of polyamides. The consortium consisted of Hans-Josef Endres (Chair), Institute for Plastics and Circular Economy (IKK), Leibniz Universität Hannover Martin Doedt (Co-Chair), Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid GmbH Christian Schiller (Initiator & Co-Chair), Cirplus Michael D., APK AG @Martin Scheuble, Andreas Wollny, BASF Teresa Oberhauser, Circularise Hartmut Schoon, Yil Yorgan, ENNEATECH AG Soeren Griessbach, GS PRO Ansgar Hoffmann, Hoffmann + Voss GmbH Konrad Kiefer, KOSTAL Group Rainer Zies, MKV GmbH Kunststoffgranulate Matthias Hackert-Oschätzchen, Gunnar Meisner, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg Dr. Harald Lehmann, Maximilian Niehues, REMONDIS Recycling Susanne Thürer, Röchling Industrial Hannes Stiebitzhofer, S1SEVEN | Digital Material Passport Frank Stammer, TecPart - Verband Technische Kunststoff-Produkte e.V. Goran Brkljac, TER Plastics POLYMER GROUP Nadine Buschner, Technische Universität Chemnitz Michael Harraß, Vossloh Fastening Systems 🙏 Many thanks to all of you, without whom this project would not have been possible. And to DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e. V. for the generous financial support, picking DIN SPEC 91481 as a winner project of the DIN Connect 2022 awards. A big thank you also to Jessica Frost and Maria Mensch, Ph.D., guiding us professionally through the entire project. As with the previous standard, we now look forward to the feedback from the market and aim to transform this standard subsequently into a European or even ISO norm. ➡ The standard is published in English and can be downloaded for free here (you need to register, though): https://lnkd.in/evUJ94W2

A major milestone for Design for Recycling in Europe: EN 18120-1:2026 is published CEN has officially published EN 18120-1:2026, the first part of a new European standard series dedicated to the design for recycling of plastic packaging. This is more than just another standard. It is the technical backbone that will support the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. >> What does EN 18120-1:2026 bring? This foundational document establishes: - A common framework and terminology for design for recycling - Principles to assess compatibility of packaging with collection, sorting, and recycling systems - A harmonised approach across polymers and formats It introduces a practical compatibility grading system: 🟢 Fully compatible 🟡 Limited compatibility 🔴 Not compatible 👉 In short: it translates recyclability into measurable, technical criteria >> A comprehensive standard series EN 18120-1 is just the starting point. It is complemented by: - Process & evaluation: Parts 2-3 - Design guidelines by material: PET, PE/PP, PS, EPS (Parts 4-9) - Recyclability protocols: polymer-specific testing methods (Parts 10-15) >> Access cost (important for industry): - Foundational and complex parts: ~€120-€160 - More specific guidelines/protocols: ~€50-€90 👉 This means a full series access represents a significant investment, especially for SMEs, but also reflects the depth and technical rigor of the framework. >> Understanding the timeline The development of EN 18120 followed the full European standardisation process: - Proposal ✔️ - Drafting ✔️ - Public consultation ✔️ - Comment resolution ✔️ - Approval (Feb 9, 2026) ✔️ - Publication (April 15, 2026) ✅ Next steps: - By October 2026: mandatory adoption as national standards - 2027-2028: EU secondary legislation under PPWR - From ~2030: recyclability requirements become legally applicable >> Where will it apply? CEN standards are not optional for members: 👉 EN 18120 must be implemented (without modification) by national standardisation bodies across more than 30 countries, including: EU Member States (e.g. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands…) + EFTA & associated countries (Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom, etc.) -> At the same time, conflicting national standards must be withdrawn by October 2026, ensuring true European harmonisation. >> How does this connect to PPWR? The articulation is explicit and strategic: - The European Commission, under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, will define recyclability criteria - It must take into account European standards developed by CEN 👉 The EN 18120 series becomes the technical reference framework -> In simple terms: CEN = defines the “how” (technical methods & criteria) PPWR = defines the “what” (legal obligations)

🌍 EU moves to strengthen recycled plastics regulation for food contact The European Commission has circulated a draft amendment to Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastics intended to come into contact with food. - Electronic Union Register: A new EU-level registration system for recyclers and installations, replacing national submissions. -Expanded documentation requirements: Updated templates for declarations of compliance, including new forms for input materials and finished articles (Annex III A–D). -Traceability and sampling: Recyclers must retain a sample of each input batch for two years to verify contamination levels and decontamination effectiveness. - Customs enforcement: For recycled PET imported from third countries, CN codes must be indicated in compliance documentation. - Clearer compliance statuses: Installations will be categorized (active, suspended, audit pending, decommissioned) to improve transparency. - Transitional measures: Products compliant under current rules may continue to be placed on the market for a limited period after the amendment enters into force.  🗓️ National Authotities as Denmark are collecting feedback until the 9th January 2026 GPSNet - Global Product Safety Net: ⚖️ Reg Advocacy, Legal Opinions, Chemical/Recycling Registrations 💻 Digital Regulatory / AI Early warning 📄 Consulting, GMP Recycling system, Dossier submission, Migration modelling, Global Test management, DOC Management, .. ⚗️ NIAS/PFAS/BP Screening, CMMS, Input-output validation, Test in food , Global Accredited testing ♻️ Sustainability testing, R-Plastic Challenge test, microplastics.. 🕵 GMP Audit/Training 🆘 m.scialpi@globalproductsafety.net Marco Scialpi Sources: https://lnkd.in/eZ3dvq-d

Europe made battery recycling mandatory. The EU passed Regulation 2023/1542 in July 2023. The regulation abandons the old "one-size-fits-all" approach. It applies distinct rules to five battery categories. Portable Batteries ↳ Smartphones, laptops, and household cells. LMT Batteries ↳ Light Means of Transport (e-bikes, e-scooters). SLI Batteries ↳ Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (traditional vehicle batteries). EV Batteries ↳ Traction batteries for electric road vehicles. Industrial Batteries ↳ Energy storage systems and industrial applications over 5kg. The efficiency targets kick in by December 31, 2025: • Lead-acid batteries: 75% • Lithium-based batteries: 65% • Nickel-cadmium batteries: 80% • Other waste batteries: 50% These are minimum efficiency rates based on average battery weight. Then come the material recovery mandates. By 2027, recyclers must recover: • Cobalt: 90% • Copper: 90% • Lead: 90% • Nickel: 90% • Lithium: 50% By December 31, 2031, the targets jump: • Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Nickel: 95% • Lithium: 80% That lithium target is the hardest one. From 50% to 80% in four years. But here's where it gets interesting. From August 18, 2031, new Industrial, EV, and SLI batteries must contain minimum shares of recovered materials: • Lead: 85% (stays at 85% through 2036) • Cobalt: 16% (rises to 26% by 2036) • Lithium: 6% (doubles to 12% by 2036) • Nickel: 6% (more than doubles to 15% by 2036) Europe is turning battery waste into a strategic resource. This regulation creates a legally binding circular economy that reduces dependence on virgin imports. • Resource independence • Supply chain stability. • Geopolitical resilience. Europe is building the framework for a circular battery economy. Full breakdown of the EU Battery Recycling Regulation in the document below 👇 -- Join 5700+ receiving my free weekly battery newsletter: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaBWN6uX

The CPCB's latest waste management regulations impose strict compliance requirements, and overlooking them could lead to significant costs. These new rules are more than just compliance, they are a call to action for industries and citizens alike. 👇Here are some of the critical updates you should know: 📌Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers now have stricter timelines and targets to collect and recycle waste, especially plastics and tyres. Failure to meet compliance could lead to significant penalties. 📌Single-Use Plastic Phase-Out: The rules expand the list of banned single-use plastics, pushing industries to adopt sustainable packaging solutions. 📌Improved Hazardous Waste Management: Industries handling hazardous waste must now upgrade storage, labeling, and disposal processes, ensuring better environmental and public safety. 📌Waste Tyre Management Rules: Producers are now required to register under EPR mandates and ensure proper recycling or disposal of used tires. Non-compliance will lead to heavy fines. These regulations demand a shift in our thinking from waste as a liability to waste as a resource. It’s time we start questioning: → Is your organization aligned with the latest waste management laws? → Are you prepared for the stricter compliance requirements? The real impact lies not just in following these rules but in embracing them as opportunities for innovation. #CPCBUpdates #EPR #PolicyChange