Everything’s new with EU 2022/1616
The new regulation on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods (EU) 2022/1616 means many changes and new administrative requirements for recyclers and converters of food contact materials. The new regulation applies to all food and beverage packaging, therefore affecting approximately 44% of all plastic packaging in the European Union1. One year ago, it was adopted by the European Commission and is now valid since 2022, repealing the former regulation (EC) No 282/2008.
An important novelty is that the regulation classifies mechanical recycling technologies in suitable technologies (with and without individual approval) and novel technologies. Mechanically recycled PET after decontamination, and recycling of post-industrial inhouse waste, can continue to be produced and placed on the market as „suitable technology“. All others must be newly licensed as „novel technologies“, a process which is expected to be quite costly in terms of time and money.