Revised rules on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods

The Commission is currently revising rules to allow the use of recycled plastics in food contact material applications, which will repeal legislation dating back from 2008. The revision should provide additional clarity, including rules for operators and competent authorities, as well as provisions on which types of plastics (other than PET) may be recycled and used in food sensitive applications.

A draft Commission Regulation has already been published for consultation. On this occasion, EUROPEN expressed its full support to the objectives of the revision of the Regulation to extend the plastic recycling capacity in the EU, and to increase recycled content in plastic products and packaging while ensuring a high level of protection of human health.

The draft Regulation (currently under discussion in the Commission’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed) will likely be adopted this summer, unless an objection is raised by the EU Council or the EU Parliament as part of the Regulatory Procedure with Scrutiny.

WHAT DID YOU MISS?

• 06 December 2021-18 January 2022: Consultation on the Draft Commission Regulation
• 24 March 2022: The European Commission’s Standing Committee discussed a revised version of the draft Regulation.

WHAT’S NEXT?

• July 2022: Adoption, at the earliest, of the revised Regulation.
• Date to be confirmed (delayed): Public consultation on the review of Food Contact Materials rules