Summary
Chemical recycling technologies are essential complementary pathways to mechanical and solvent-based recycling in achieving the EU’s circular economy objectives for plastics. While the Commission has already developed a draft Implementing Act establishing harmonised End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for mechanical and solvent-based recycling, an equivalent dedicated framework for chemical recycling is still missing. To fully enable contribution of chemical recycling, the EU should urgently develop a dedicated and harmonised End-of-Waste framework that reflects the specific characteristics of chemical recycling technologies, value chains and outputs. This paper lays out an aprroach to provide legal certainty, support investment, strengthen the EU internal market for recycled chemical feedstocks and safeguard environmental and human health protection.
Key takeaways
- Base End-of-Waste criteria for chemical recycling on the conditions of Article 6(1) of the Waste Framework Directive, ensuring a consistent and technology-neutral application across all chemical recycling routes.
- Ensure that, once waste ceases to be waste, the resulting materials are subject to applicable product and chemicals legislation, which inherently provide robust quality assurance and traceability systems, thereby maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment without the need for additional control mechanism.
- Recognise that End-of-Waste may be achieved at different stages of the chemical recycling route, where specification-controlled secondary raw material intermediates meeting Article 6(1) conditions are produced.
- Adopt an output- and intended use approach grounded in Article 6(1) of the Waste Framework Directive.
- Establish harmonised EU-wide End-of-Waste criteria for chemical recycling technologies to ensure the functioning of the internal market and provide regulatory certainty for investment.