The European plastics recycling industry is facing an unprecedented crisis, with numerous plant closures, declining demand, unfair international competition and growing imports of allegedly ‘recyclates’ whose recycled content cannot always be effectively verified. At the same time, the recent Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets in its Article 7 mandatory recycled content (RC) targets for plastics packaging by 2030, and foresees the implementation of a mirror clause to level the playing field between European¹ and third country recyclers. The implementing Act setting the rules for the mirror clause and expected in Q4 2026 should, therefore, include a European prioritisation with the introduction of a clear Made in Europe preference for plastic RC targets.  

The signatories call on the European Commission to ensure that the future Implementing Act is built around the following three key principles: 

1. Require “Made in Europe” recyclates for packaging produced or filled in the EU: In that case, compliance with RC targets should rely on recycled plastics originating from post-consumer waste collected & recycled in Europe (EU27+EFTA+UK). Such European-preference approach was widely adopted by Member States under the SUPD Implementing Decision², and should be extended on a permanent basis in the PPWR implementing framework. 

2. Establish robust mirror measures for packaging produced and filled outside the EU: For those packaging placed on the EU market, recycled plastics should only count towards RC targets where compliance with requirements and standards equivalent to those applicable in the EU can be demonstrated, or European recyclates can be used. The mirror clause framework shall ensure equivalence at two levels (following the approach enshrined in the Waste Shipment Regulation): 

• Country assessment: Only plastic recyclates originating from third countries that can guarantee environmentally sound waste management in line with EU rules, and that have equivalent circular economy measures in place, should be eligible to count towards PPWR RC obligations. The European Commission shall assess such country level equivalency.  

• Facility-level verification: Only plastic recyclates originating from certified facilities located in authorised countries should be eligible to count towards PPWR RC obligations. Independent third-party certification – valid for one year – shall be required to prove that third country recycling installations effectively comply with equivalent environmental, operational and traceability requirements.  

3. Ensure effective enforcement, market surveillance and transparency throughout the value chain: The mirror clause will only be effective if accompanied by robust enforcement. The Implementing Act should establish harmonised verification procedures, while Member States should ensure effective controls on imported packaging and introduce dissuasive harmonised sanctions. The Implementing Act should also ensure robust traceability and transparency throughout international value chains, so that the origin of post-consumer plastic waste and recycled plastics can be verified at every stage, potentially via a chain of custody model. Appropriate documentation and independent third-party verification should support effective enforcement. This is crucial to preserve the integrity of the RC targets and maintain fair competition. 

The PPWR RC targets can only deliver their environmental and industrial objectives if they create genuine demand for high-quality recycled plastics produced in Europe or under standards equivalent to those applicable within the EU. Only such a framework will ensure a level playing field, reinforce Europe’s strategic autonomy, encourage investment in European recycling capacity and safeguard the credibility of the PPWR recycled content requirements. 

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FEAD, the European Waste Management Association, represents the entire waste management value chain, from collection and sorting to recycling, energy recovery, and final disposal. It brings together the private waste and resource management industry across Europe through its 21 national member associations and associate members, which collectively represent over 3,000 companies. Together, the sector provides more than 500,000 local jobs and fuels €5 billion in investments into the economy every year.

Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) is an organisation representing the voice of European plastics recyclers, who reprocess plastic waste into high-quality material destined for the production of new articles. Recyclers are important facilitators of the circularity of plastics and the transition towards the circular economy. The plastics recycling industry in Europe represents over €9.1 billion in turnover, 13.2 million tonnes of installed recycling capacity, around 850 recycling facilities, and over 30,000 employees.

Recycling Europe (formerly EuRIC) is the voice of Europe’s recycling industry, including 80 national federations and companies across 24 EU & EFTA countries. From metals and paper to plastics, textiles, tyres, ships, construction & demolition waste and WEEE, our members transform waste into resources-powering Europe’s circular economy, ensuring resource autonomy, and boosting competitiveness and sustainable industrialisation across the continent.