Plastics and Sustainability: Ensuring Safety and Recyclability in Recycled Plastics

As the European Union intensifies its commitment to a circular economy, the plastics industry faces a wave of new regulations aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. A recent Applus+ Laboratories webinar explored how companies can navigate these changes—particularly in relation to the safety and recyclability of recycled plastics. 

Understanding the shifting Regulatory Landscape 

The European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan have introduced a series of directives and regulations that directly affect plastic packaging and products. Key developments include: 

• Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40(PPWR): Sets ambitious targets for recycled content—30% in plastic bottles by 2030 and 65% by 2040.  
• Spanish Law 7/2022: Introduces a €0.45/kg tax on non-recycled plastic packaging, encouraging the use of certified recycled materials. 
• Ecodesign Regulation 2024/1781: Promotes durability, repairability, and recyclability, and introduces the Digital Product Passport to enhance transparency across supply chains. 

These measures are designed to reduce landfill waste, improve material traceability, and ensure that products placed on the EU market meet strict environmental standards. 

Certification of Recycled Content: EN 15343 

To benefit from Spanish tax exemptions and demonstrate compliance, companies must certify the recycled content of their plastic products. The EN 15343 standard provides a framework for: 

• Verifying the percentage of recycled plastic 
• Ensuring traceability throughout the recycling process 
• Implementing quality control systems aligned with ISO 9001 or equivalent 

Applus+ Laboratories offers certification schemes tailored to both recyclers and manufacturers, helping organizations validate their processes and reduce their environmental tax burden. 

Safety and Recyclability Compliance 

Incorporating recycled plastics into products—especially those used in food contact, cosmetics, or sensitive applications—requires rigorous safety evaluations. European regulations such as EU 2022/1616 and amendments to EU 10/2011 and REACH mandate: 

• Risk assessments for non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), PFAS, and other contaminants.
• Migration testing to ensure chemical safety.
• Traceability and decontamination protocols throughout the supply chain.

These requirements ensure that recycled plastics do not compromise consumer safety or product performance. 

Recyclability and Design for Circularity 

The PPWR, also known as Regulation 2025/040 and 10/2011, amended by the Regulation 2025/351, introduces recyclability grading (A, B, C) based on the ease of recycling and material composition. By 2038, only packaging with a recyclability grade of A or B will be allowed on the EU market. To meet these standards, manufacturers must: 

• Design packaging with mono-materials or easily separable layers 
• Avoid problematic additives and adhesives 
• Demonstrate compatibility with existing recycling streams 

Applus+ Laboratories supports companies in evaluating and improving the recyclability of their packaging through technical assessments and material testing. 

Performance Testing of Recycled Plastics  

Recycled plastics must not only be safe and compliant—they must also perform reliably. Applus+ Laboratories conducts accredited testing to assess: 

• Mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength, impact resistance) 
• Thermal behaviour and melt flow index 
• Compliance with material-specific standards for PE, PP, PS, PVC, and PET

These tests are essential for both internal quality control and third-party certification. 

From Regulation to Action 

The path to sustainable plastics is complex but achievable. With the right testing, certification, and design strategies, companies can meet regulatory requirements, reduce environmental impact, and maintain product integrity. 

Resources

• Download the presentation by Applus+ Laboratories
• Watch the webinar recording

Need support with recycled plastics certification or testing? Contact Applus+ Laboratories or explore our Plastics and Sustainability services.