Delays by the European Commission in authorizing recycling processes for PET food contact applications
Delays by the European Commission in authorizing recycling processes for PET food contact applications, a legislative bottleneck for the circularity of plastics
PET value-chain Trade Associations concerned for the EU Green Deal and the transition to a Circular Economy to become missed opportunities.
Leading PET value chain Trade Associations, namely Committee of PET Manufacturers Europe (CPME), Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE), PETCORE Europe, Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) and UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, recently addressed Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans expressing concerns for the slow procedure on the authorisation of recycling processes for PET in food contact applications.
Regulation 282/2008 requires these authorizations, provided a positive evaluation was first issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). To date, at least 150 recycling processes for food-grade PET have already received EFSA positive opinions but are long awaiting the European Commission’s approval.
