Recycled content certification

What is recycled content certification?

Recycled content certification independently verifies the proportion of secondary raw materials in a product, based on chain of custody systemic audit assessments along the supply chain.

The certification assessment focuses on the traceability of the processing of non-hazardous waste materials, from recovery to incorporation into the final product. View a sample of the recycled content certification.

Recycled content certification can be achieved for a wide range of consumer and industrial products made from recycled plastics such as electrical and electronic devices, automotive components, furniture, home goods, textiles, packaging, and more.

Why is recycled content certification important to your business?

• Circularity principles
  The use of recycled raw materials represents resource conservation, eliminating waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Consumer awareness and public concern about greenwashing
  Companies are under pressure to ensure that their products have lower environmental impact & accurate information is truthfully communicated to their stakeholders.

• Ensure that your recycled content claims are authentic
  Reliable product sustainability information related to the use of recycled content requires transparency throughout the supply chain.

• Regulations, plastic taxes, national subsidies and green public procurement
  National authorities require third-party certification of the recycled content of products and packaging, e.g. Spain's Plastic Tax Law.

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How does the recycled content certification process work?

TÜV SÜD's recycled content certification process includes several steps required to comply with global standards such as ISO 14021, EN 15343 and related series of standards.

1. Data collection and documentation audits:

TÜV SÜD's team will assist in collecting data from your recycled plastics supply chain partners, covering the origin of input waste materials, sorting practices, best recycling practices, blending processes, and quantification of recycled material flows.

2. Onsite audits:

Onsite audits are required to ensure the actual production practices and staff competence to maintain consistent quality and authenticity.

3. Evaluation of the single supply chain assessments:

TÜV SÜD auditors issue assessment reports for each site, sharing audit findings with the manufacturer and its supply chain. In cases of major non-conformities, the manufacturer and its supply chain partner must provide a root cause analysis and take corrective action.

4. Final report and certification decision:

If the certification requirements are met, TÜV SÜD will issue the final technical report and certificate to the product or material manufacturer.

5. Certification maintenance / production monitored:

Depending on the strength of the data, supply chain quality and production volume, a certification is either valid for one year (batch certification) or for 3 years. TÜV SÜD conducts periodic surveillance to maintain compliance and consistent quality as per requirements.

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Your business benefits

• Demonstrate your commitment to the circular economy by promoting the use of secondary plastics.
• Gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating your commitment to reduce the environmental impact of your product with usage of secondary raw materials.
• Substantiate your sustainability claims by engaging an independent and impartial third party to verify and certify the accuracy of your recycled content sustainability claims along your product's supply chain.
• Minimise time to market by ensuring your products meet local sustainability requirements with trustful amount of recycled content they contain.