New EU methodology standardizes the calculation, verification, and reporting of chemically recycled content, providing greater transparency and investment certainty for the plastics recycling industry.
The European Commission has adopted new rules establishing a harmonized methodology for calculating, verifying, and reporting chemically recycled plastic content in single-use PET beverage bottles. The framework provides long-awaited regulatory clarity for the plastics industry and creates a standardized system for recognizing chemically recycled materials under the European Union’s recycled-content requirements.
The new methodology is the first of its kind in the EU and applies a mass balance accounting approach, allowing manufacturers to attribute recycled content to new plastic products when recycled and virgin feedstocks are processed together in advanced recycling facilities. The rules are designed to ensure transparency, prevent double counting, and establish consistent reporting across the industry.
According to the Commission, the framework is technology-neutral, meaning it can be applied to both chemical and mechanical recycling processes where appropriate. By creating uniform calculation and verification procedures, the rules are expected to provide greater legal certainty for recyclers, brand owners, and investors while encouraging further investment in advanced recycling technologies.
The regulation supports the implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), which requires PET beverage bottles to contain minimum levels of recycled plastic. A transparent accounting methodology is considered essential for demonstrating compliance with these recycled-content targets and strengthening confidence in sustainability claims made by manufacturers.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that regulatory certainty is critical for scaling chemical recycling technologies capable of processing difficult-to-recycle plastic waste streams such as contaminated, multilayer, or mixed plastics that are often unsuitable for conventional mechanical recycling. The new rules are expected to improve investment confidence and support the commercialization of advanced recycling infrastructure across Europe.
The Commission emphasized that the methodology introduces rigorous verification and reporting requirements to ensure that recycled-content claims are accurate, traceable, and independently verifiable. This will help create a level playing field for recyclers while enhancing the credibility of recycled plastic content used in packaging and beverage containers.
The adoption of these rules represents an important milestone in the EU’s broader circular economy strategy. By providing a clear regulatory framework for chemically recycled plastic content, the Commission aims to accelerate innovation in advanced recycling, increase the availability of high-quality recycled plastics, and help the packaging industry meet ambitious sustainability and recycled-content targets over the coming decade.