The European Commission adopted the implementing regulation on the safe use of recycled plastic in food packaging on 9/15/22.
The standard is expected to be published in October 2022, with immediate application as per European regulations.
Recycled plastic in food packaging, the new standards
The new regulation on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food replaces the previous Reg. (EC) 282/2008 and any conflicting national regulations.
With the aim of increasing the share of recycled plastic in MOCAs and reducing the placing of new plastic on the market, the incoming regulation regulates
- All types of plastics with recycled content placed on the market,
- all kinds of recycling technology (mechanical, closed-loop, functional barrier-protected recycled material, and chemical recycling),
- The collection and sorting of plastic materials for recycling,
- decontamination and conversion of materials, affecting quality control, documentation and labeling,
- The establishment of a public register of recycling processes, recyclers and recycling facilities.
Recycled PET
For PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycling processes, as of July 2023, it is essential to obtain approval from EFSA, which already has 200 under consideration. Permit applications sent to EFSA before that date will also allow work pending the opinion.
In addition, incoming plastic collection and pre-processing systems will have to be certified by a third party for quality assurance as of 2024.
The risks of recycled plastic
The use of recycled plastics intended for food contact is helpful in reducing the production of new plastics. However, MOCAs made from recycled PET have shown a chemical safety vulnerability that is of concern.
‘With about 50 percent of plasticpackaging used for food purposes, we need to ensure the sector makes the transition to safer and more efficient production,’ commented EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. ‘And to achieve this we need to use more recycled plastics.’
Notes
(1) Plastic Recycling. European Commission, https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/chemical-safety/food-contact-materials/plastic-recycling_en
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
