Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Plastics News
  • Plastics News China
  • European Rubber Journal
SustainablePlasticsFINAL
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Recycling
    • Sustainability
    • Bioplastics
    • Technology & Materials
    • IneosStyrolution-Antwerp-main_i.jpg
      EU provides funding for sustainable ABS project
      Sabic and Plastic Energy to start construction on new commercial-scale recycling unit
      Itero to build plastic waste recycling plant at Brightlands Chemelot Campus
      VTT-led research project aims to find ways to recover and recycle river plastic waste - profitably
    • IneosStyrolution-Antwerp-main_i.jpg
      EU provides funding for sustainable ABS project
      Huhtamaki welcomes LCA results on environmental impact of single-use packaging
      Flexible packaging industry seeks stronger alignment with circular economy ambitions
      E-marketplace brings recycled and renewable materials to circular economy
    • Covestro adds its bio-TPUs to Desmopan product range
      Yield10 Bioscience announces milestone achievement with plant-made PHA
      Novamont advances vertical integration growth strategy with acquisition BioBag
      British researchers make sustainable polymer from sugars in wood
    • Injection Moulding
    • Blow Moulding
    • Extrusion
    • Thermoforming
    • 3D printing
    • Technology
    • Materials
    • Machinery
  • Opinion
    • View Point
    • A year to remember
      Opinion: California introduces world’s toughest plastic bottle recycling legislature – will other markets follow?
      Opinion: What to expect from plastic that protects our kids
      Legislation is catching up with our Lifestyle goals
  • Events
    • Our Exhibitions
    • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
    • Ask the Expert
    • Sustainable Plastics Live
    • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
    • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
    • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
  • Prices & Resources
    • Polymer Prices
    • Data Reports
    • White Papers
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Media Pack
  • Subscribe
    • Magazine
    • Newsletters
    • List Rental
  • Digital magazine
    • Digital Magazine
  • Multimedia
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
October 05, 2017 07:00 AM

Why is there still no EU approval for use of recycled plastics in food contact applications?

Plastic News Europe
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    The regulation on the use of recycled plastic materials in food applications was published by the EU over nine years ago. The EFSA, or European Food Safety Authority, has issued upward of 140 positive scientific opinions on the safety of processes to recycle plastics for use in food contact materials.

    The European Commission could therefore officially authorize the evaluated processes. To date, however, it has displayed no initiative in that direction.

     The absence of EU legal framework prolongs the lack of harmonisation amongst Member States and generates legal uncertainty and unnecessary burden for the industry using recycled materials.

    It also sets up obstacles for the Circular Economy

    Plastics Recyclers Europe vice-president Casper van den Dungen, who also chairs the PET Working Group, noted that companies have invested over €500m in plants capable of converting recycled plastic materials into materials suitable for packaging and food contact applications.

    “In 2014, more than 50% of the recycled PET in Europe was used in food contact applications. But EU businesses are still in a legislative no-man's land due to years of delay,” he said.

    “This uncertainty leads to decline in investments and more importantly to a possible mistrust in the legislation ruling food contact materials.”

    These sentiments were echoed by organisations across the value chain, from Petcore Europe to EuPC. 

    The PET value chain urges the Commission to authorize recycling processes positively evaluated by EFSA. This authorization would ensure harmonization of the market and remove any legal uncertainty in trading recycled materials in food contact applications. It will also enable to drive circular economy for plastics by opening new markets for plastics recyclates.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Sustainable Plastics' news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Reserve your subscription today

    Subscriptions to Sustainable Plastics, the leading Pan-European magazine for the circular plastics industry are coming soon.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    "In a changing world, Sustainable Plastics is a constant: a platform the plastics industry can rely on to deliver the news and knowhow impacting the industry going forward”

    SustainablePlasticsFINAL
    Contact Us

    11 Ironmonger Lane, EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom 
    Tel: +44 (0)1622 370570

    Customer Service:
    1-313-446-0450

    [email protected]

     

    Resources
    • Advertise
    • Sitemap
    • Careers
    • Subscribe
    Affiliates
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • LSR World
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Tire Business
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • Automotive News
    • Automotive News Europe
    • Crain Publications
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Recycling
      • Sustainability
      • Bioplastics
      • Technology & Materials
        • Injection Moulding
        • Blow Moulding
        • Extrusion
        • Thermoforming
        • 3D printing
        • Technology
        • Materials
        • Machinery
    • Opinion
      • View Point
    • Events
      • Our Exhibitions
        • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
      • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
      • Ask the Expert
      • Sustainable Plastics Live
      • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
      • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
    • Prices & Resources
      • Polymer Prices
      • Data Reports
      • White Papers
    • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Media Pack
    • Subscribe
      • Magazine
      • Newsletters
      • List Rental
    • Digital magazine
      • Digital Magazine
    • Multimedia