• CERTIFICATION OF PLASTIC RECYCLING PROCESSES, RECYCLABILITY OF PACKAGING AND THE CONTENT OF RECYCLED PLASTIC IN THE PRODUCT

    CERTIFICATION BODY.
    2023 “Intechcentras” became one of the 15 certification bodies in Europe licensed to provide certification services according to all RecyClass auditing schemes, and the institution with the largest number of auditors in the Baltic States. The RecyClass methodology covers the entire plastic value chain, starting with waste recycling processes, certification of packaging semi-finished products and ending with the final packaging, where its recyclability is assessed or the amount of recycled plastic in the product is confirmed.

EU REGULATION. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is set to replace the existing Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). This new regulation will introduce more stringent requirements and aims to streamline the regulatory framework for packaging and packaging waste across the EU. For plastic products and packaging, the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive remains relevant. It targets the reduction of the environmental impact of certain single-use plastic products by imposing restrictions and requirements. The Green Transformation Directive, expected to be transposed into national law within the next two years, will impose stricter controls on packaging labeling, mandating that claims be based on audits and certifications to ensure transparency and accuracy. The Green Claims Directive, currently in draft stages, is designed to prevent companies from making vague or unsubstantiated claims about their environmental impact, often referred to as “greenwashing.” The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) mandates that companies disclose extensive data, including information on production, packaging, and recycling practices, in accordance with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). In terms of standards, EN 15343:2007 and ISO 22095:2020 are relevant to recycled plastic. EN 15343:2007 focuses on the traceability of recycled plastic materials, while ISO 22095:2020 outlines principles and requirements for assessing the circularity of products. The Recyclass certification system aligns with all European legislation related to packaging, plastic recycling, and waste management, ensuring compliance and supporting the implementation of the EU’s recycling and waste management policies.

Green claims without reference to an independent monitoring system will be considered false.

From EC proposal to amend the Consumer Rights Directive

RECYCLASS CERTIFICATES

Audits are designed to assess and verify the recyclability of plastic products, ensure that waste recycling processes comply with regulations, and determine the proportion of secondary material in products.

Intechcentras conducts recyclability assessments for all types of plastic packaging. Their packaging certification confirms that the packaging meets the requirements of the entire plastic value chain, including compatibility with waste management processes such as collection, sorting, recycling, and reuse of recycled materials.

DESIGN FOR RECYCLING

The certificate classifies the technical recyclability of the final plastic packaging on a scale from A to F throughout the European market.

RECYCLABILITY RATE CERTIFICATION

The certificate classifies and rates the technical recyclability of final plastic packaging in a specific geographic area. With this certificate, Intechcentras can evaluate the packaging of the Baltic countries market.

LETTER OF COMPATIBILITY

The certificate classifies and evaluates the recyclability of packaging semi-finished products throughout the European market.

Legal regulation will ensure a more favorable tax environment for those who supply the market with recyclable packaging.

According to the law of Republic of Lithuania on the pollution tax

INTECHCENTRAS ALSO HAS THE RIGHT TO CERTIFY THE PROCESSES OF COMPANIES WHOSE ACTIVITIES ARE THE PROCESSING AND PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC.

RECYCLING PROCESS CERTIFICATION

The certificate assesses the process within the plastic recycling chain

RECYCLED PLASTICS TRACEABILITY CERTIFICATION

The certificate is designed to trace recycled plastic in processes and in the product

The aforementioned PPWR will oblige manufacturers to use secondary raw materials in packaging, creating a larger market for recyclate. It goes without saying that only high-quality recycled materials are suitable for packaging, especially those that come into contact with food.

To ensure material traceability and a transparent value chain in the production of plastic packaging, RecyClass certifies processes and assesses the on-site management of pre-consumer and post-consumer plastic waste in Europe and beyond. For packaging manufacturers, the process certificate is an excellent criterion to help choose suitable suppliers of recycled plastic, and for suppliers of raw materials, it helps to identify waste managers who have certified their processes.

The responsible institutions in different European countries pursue the goals set by the tax system, with taxes on the use of primary plastic serving as an economic incentive to use recycled raw materials. The Traceability Certificate for manufacturers of packaging semi-finished products and other plastic products indicates and confirms the percentage of recycled plastics in the product.

Show your contribution to plastic waste management, transparently report the origin of waste and strengthen your sustainability strategy

CERTIFIED INTECHCENTRAS AUDITORS

RIMANTAS DAMANSKIS

LINPRA presidium member and representative in the circular economy/plastic-rubber production sector, with over twenty years of management experience in the plastics industry and a keen interest in sector dynamics in Lithuania and Europe.

VISVALDAS VARŽINSKAS

Doctor of Environmental Engineering specializing in ecological product design, environmental performance assessment, life cycle assessment, circular design, and corporate social responsibility. V. Varžinskas leads in packaging innovations, assisting companies in understanding and implementing packaging compliance requirements, conducting essential research, and preparing declarations of compliance for market-ready packaging.

VIRGINIJA JANKAUSKAITĖ

Scientist and researcher in materials engineering, specializing in polymer materials. Author of two patented inventions and three educational books. Head of the Lithuanian Association of Materials Researchers.