EU updates recycled plastic process register for packaging

The register contains a list of valid applications of recycling processes that are being considered for approval by the food safety watchdog during the initial authorisation phase.

Existing and new process rules​

The latest version, which can be view via this link,​ was updated on 15 December, 2009. It is being drawn up under EC Regulation 282/2008. The deadline for the initial round of application approvals for ‘existing’ processes should be made to appropriate national bodies by 31 December, 2009. So-called existing processes are those which were in place before the regulation came into force on 17 April 2008.

Recycling processes put into place after that date are referred to as ‘new’ and can be submitted any time before or after the 2009 deadline. Companies can submit a dossier to their national authority, which will pass it on to EFSA. The safety body has six months to reach an opinion – although it can extend this time to take account of any requests for more information, an EC official told FoodProductionDaily.com.

A list of the appropriate national bodies can be found via the following link.​

So far, eight recycling processes are listed on the register as being under consideration; two from the UK, two from Germany and one each from the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain and Denmark.

EFSA said applications will only be considered as valid when they are accepted under its administrative acceptance procedure (AAP). This means the application contains the information as laid down in EU guidelines on the matter. EFSA said this could cause a delay between a company submitting the application to its national authority and it being included on the register.

These recycling processes have not yet been approved at a Community level and are regulated at national level until their authorisation.

Transitional measures​

EFSA said it will issue an opinion on each recycling process for all valid application received before 1 January 2010. Once this is completed, the European Commission will adopt a decision granting final approval or refusal of the recycling process. Until that time, the recycling processes on the register can still be used according to national legislation.

When the Community Register of authorised recycling processes under the EU regulation is set up, the register of valid applications will be deleted.

Under transitional measures for this, the EC said if no valid application on an ‘existing’ process is submitted - or a process is not authorised - the process can only continue in use for six months after the EC decision. Also materials and articles containing recycled plastics from "existing" processes can be traded until stocks are exhausted.