How can I get my recycled materials certified to access European markets?

To access European markets, your recycled materials must be certified against recognized standards through an independent third party, such as the RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability or RecyClass Recyclability of Packaging schemes.

Other standards, such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), can also help meet recycled-content traceability requirements. Both GRS and RCS apply to a wide range of materials, including plastics, metals and textiles.

GRS also includes environmental and social requirements, which can be particularly valuable for international supply chains.

These certifications verify the traceability, quality and percentage of recycled content incorporated into your products, helping you meet the European Union's increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

This article is aimed at manufacturers, distributors and exporters of recycled materials - including textiles, plastics and metals - looking to structure their approach and secure access to the European market. With its 450 million consumers and growing demand for recycled materials, Europe represents a strategic market.

In summary, certifying your recycled materials involves choosing the right standard - GRS, RecyClass or RCS - preparing a complete documentation package, and then undergoing an on-site audit conducted by an accredited certification body such as Ecocert. The process takes an average of four months.

Here is what you will take away from this article:

• The European regulatory requirements currently in force
• The key certifications for your sector: GRS, RecyClass and RCS
• The practical certification process with Ecocert, step by step
• The most common challenges - traceability, quality and costs - and practical solutions to overcome them
• The regulatory outlook for 2027-2040, to help you anticipate and prepare your approach

Understanding European requirements for recycled materials

Since 2024, the European Union has significantly strengthened its regulatory framework for the circular economy. The recovery of waste into secondary raw materials and the reduction of natural resource extraction are at the heart of these new obligations.

At EU level, the recycling rate for plastic packaging waste rose steadily from 25.2% in 2005 to 40.5% in 2022. (1)

European regulations on recycled materials

The legal framework is based on several pillars.

The ESPR Regulation (EU 2024/1781), adopted in July 2024, extends ecodesign requirements to almost all categories of physical goods placed on the European Union market. It strengthens ecodesign requirements and introduces the Digital Product Passport (DPP) to improve product traceability and information.

At the same time, the PPWR Regulation (EU 2025/40) sets requirements and targets for packaging, particularly regarding packaging recyclability and the incorporation of recycled plastics.

Documentary traceability across the entire supply chain is a cross-cutting requirement: every company must be able to prove the origin, transformation process and percentage of recycled content in its materials. This traceability forms the foundation of all certifications.

Which standard should you choose to certify your recycled materials?

In response to these regulatory requirements, three certification schemes stand out as the most widely requested by European retailers and purchasers. Each addresses specific sectoral needs, but they all share a common objective: ensuring the traceability and quality of recycled materials throughout the production process. As a recognized and accredited certification body, Ecocert is authorized to issue these certifications and has proven hands-on expertise in the field.

Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is the leading certification for products containing recycled materials, both in the textile sector and in other industries. GRS certification requires at least 20% recycled content in the finished product.

GRS applies to recycled raw materials, as well as semi-finished and finished products made from recycled materials. To find out more, read our dedicated article: A closer look at GRS, the standard for recycled materials.

RECYCLASS

RecyClass offers a comprehensive ecosystem of certifications specifically designed for recycled plastic materials and recognized by major European retail chains. This standard plays a key role for companies operating in the packaging sector. RecyClass includes several complementary schemes:

Packaging Recyclability: assessment of the compatibility of plastic packaging with the entire waste management chain, as well as the ability of the recycled material to be reused in its original application

Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification: verification of recycled content and the entire supply chain

Recycling Process Certification: an audit of the recycling facility covering environmental responsibility and compliance with specific requirements, including food contact, cosmetics and PVC For packaging made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), RecyClass is the benchmark standard. To explore this topic further, discover our Ecocert x RecyClass interview.

Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) enables companies to market products made from recycled raw materials. Find out more about Textile RCS. Industry is increasingly incorporating recycled secondary raw materials, and choosing the right certification depends on your target market, your materials and your regulatory requirements.

The main barriers to certifying recycled materials - and how to overcome tem

Incomplete supply chain traceability

The challenge: missing documents, multiple suppliers, batch changes, or difficulties linking each stage - collection, sorting, recycling and processing - to verifiable evidence.

What can you do?

• Create a simple map of the supply chain, including stakeholders, flows, sites and responsibilities.

• Standardize the required documentation, such as invoices, delivery notes, technical data sheets, proof of origin and mass-balance calculations where applicable.

Variability in quality and recycled-content levels (Not applicable to the certification process)

The challenge: fluctuations in composition, contamination, material heterogeneity, or discrepancies between the declared and actual content of the product.

Proposed solutions:

• Implement batch-by-batch quality controls, including criteria, thresholds and sampling plans.

• Define clear purchasing specifications for suppliers.

Internal processes that are not yet audit-ready

The challenge: procedures that have not been formalized, unclear roles, incomplete records or a lack of day-to-day traceability practices.

Proposed solutions:

• Appoint a certification coordinator and clarify who is responsible for what.

• Formalize key procedures as needed, including storage, production, batch management and shipping.

• Prepare a single file containing all supporting evidence, avoiding a last-minute search for documents on the day of the audit.

Perceived costs and difficult-to-estimate ROI

The challenge: the cost of the audit, internal resources, analyses and process adjustments.

Proposed solutions:

• Think in terms of the cost of accessing the market.

• Prioritize a realistic certification scope, such as a pilot site, the highest-volume product range or the most stable material flow.

• Plan a timeline based on the scope of the products to be certified.

Underestimated timelines

The challenge: gathering evidence and aligning suppliers often takes longer than expected.

Proposed solutions:

• Start with a documentation review to identify what already exists, what is missing and what needs to be made more reliable.

• Set internal milestones, for example: Week 2 - supply chain mapping; Week 6 - complete documentation package; Week 10 - mock audit.

• Anticipate peak periods of activity and the availability of sites. Good practice: an initial scoping phase helps you choose the standard best suited to your needs - GRS, RCS or RecyClass - and quickly identify areas that need to be strengthened before the audit.

The certification process with Ecocert

Certification steps The certification process follows four distinct phases:

1. Preliminary analysis and feasibility audit - 2 to 4 weeks Ecocert can offer training or a pre-audit to assess the materials you wish to certify and identify the certification scheme or schemes best suited to your situation. This stage helps define a realistic action plan and estimate the overall budget.

2. Documentation preparation and implementation of compliance measures - 6 to 12 weeks This involves compiling a complete documentation package, including supplier data sheets, laboratory chemical analyses, supplier contracts and supply chain mapping. The quality of the documentation is a decisive factor in the success of the audit.

3. On-site audit by Ecocert experts - one day on average The audit involves verifying the declared data, checking physical and documentary traceability, and observing manufacturing and material management practices. Ecocert-trained auditors ensure the impartiality and rigor of the process.

4. Certificate issuance and surveillance plan - 2 to 4 weeks Once the certification decision has been validated, the certificate is issued. You can then use the logo associated with the standard and communicate transparently about the certification in accordance with its communication rules.

Conclusion Certifying your recycled materials is no longer an option, but a strategic investment for accessing European markets. As regulatory thresholds become more stringent each year, a structured and proactive approach will give your business a competitive advantage.

Immediate actions to take

1. Assess your materials: identify the percentage of recycled content in your products and the regulatory requirements applicable to your sector.
2. Choose the right standard: GRS for all types of materials with environmental and social requirements, with a minimum of 20% recycled content; RecyClass for plastics; and RCS for a simpler certification route.
3. Contact Ecocert for a preliminary audit: our experts will assess your situation and define a tailored action plan.
4. Plan your timeline: aim to obtain certification before the next regulatory thresholds come into force.

Our resources : RecyClass Certifications: Bridging Industry Practice and Legal Compliance

The 5 most frequently asked questions about recycled packaging

Rethinking Cosmetic Packaging: Turning Regulatory Constraints into Drivers of Circular Innovation