New EU regulations for recycled plastics in contact with foodstuff

As part of the 2015 circular economy action plan , the Commission identified the increase in plastic recycling as an essential prerequisite for the transition to a circular economy and committed to address this sector in a targeted
way. The Commission therefore adopted in 2018 a European strategy for plastics in a circular economy which presents key commitments for action at Union level in order to curb adverse impacts of plastic pollution. It strives
to extend the plastic recycling capacity in the Union, and to increase recycled content in plastic products and packaging. As a large proportion of plastic packaging materials are used as food packaging, the policy can only
achieve its objectives if also the recycled plastic content in food packaging increases.

The European Commission has therefor adopted a new regulation (EU 2022/1616) on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

The regulation repeals regulation 282/2008 and entered into force on 10 October 2022. The regulation covers all plastic materials and articles derived from or manufactured from waste as well as the development and operation of recycling technologies, processes and installations thereof. From 10 July 2023, only plastics containing recycled plastic materials manufactured with an appropriate recycling technology or notified new technology may be placed on the market.

The full text can be found here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2022.243.01.0003.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2022%3A243%3ATOC