The European Commission has adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1425, laying down new rules for the calculation, verification and reporting of data on recycled plastic content in single-use plastic beverage bottles. The Decision implements Directive (EU) 2019/904 on single-use plastics and repeals Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2683.
The Directive aims to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment and human health, while supporting the transition to a circular economy that prioritizes sustainable non-toxic reusable products and reuse systems over single-use products, to reduce the quantity of waste generated.
The new Implementing Decision establishes a common methodology for calculating recycled plastic content and introduces rules covering additional recycling methods, including chemical recycling. These rules aim to ensure that recycled content can be reported in a transparent, verifiable and comparable manner across different recycling methods and processes.
Accreditation plays a key role in the verification system established by the Decision. A verifier is defined as a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) accredited in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. For economic operators subject to third-party verification under the Decision, verification is carried out at facility level and includes the assessment of the operator’s systems, calculations, material inputs and outputs, allocation of eligible recycled material and supporting evidence. The verification follows a risk-based approach and must be performed on-site in accordance with the applicable standard.
Read more about the cooperation between EA and the European Commission: https://european-accreditation.org/relations-with-european-commission/
The European Commission published new Guidance on CBAM verification and accreditation for Verifiers and National Accreditation Bodies.
EA held a remote MAC Refresher Training on 16–17 June for Team Members authorized in Management System Certification, Persons Certification, and Validation and Verification.
