Certifications

RecyClass is a cross-industry, non-profit initiative that sets a harmonised methodology for assessing the recyclability of plastic packaging in Europe. Its scheme is built on the RecyClass Recyclability Methodology and the Design for Recycling Guidelines, according to EN 13430, and covers the full recycling chain in their assessments: collection, sorting, recycling and end-application.

CIRCPACK is an Approved Auditor and certification body for RecyClass for plastic packaging. We perform the third-party audit and issue the certificate; the assessment is carried out against the methodology version current at the time of audit, and certificates are valid for three years.

CERTIFY is the recyclability methodology developed and operated by CIRCPACK for materials outside the scope of RecyClass namely glass, metals, paper and cardboard. It applies the same four-stage assessment logic as the RecyClass methodology and is aligned with EN 13430. We perform the operational sorting and laboratory tests required by the methodology, based on the packaging and our operational expertise, audit the packaging design against the relevant guidelines, and issue the certificate.

RECY:CHECK is the recyclability certification scheme developed and operated by the Food & Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) for liquid packaging cartons (LPCs) and other fibre-based composite packaging. It is also dealigned according to the EN 13430 and methodologically anchored on the RecyClass framework.

For all three methodologies three certificates are available, depending on the maturity of the packaging and the type of claim required:

Letter of Compatibility: For semi-finished packaging whose design is still subject to change, e.g. components without final artwork or decoration. It confirms the compatibility of the component with a defined recycling stream against the Design for Recycling Guidelines. Intended for business-to-business communication.

Design for Recycling Certificate: For finished packaging as sold to the consumer. It assigns a qualitative recyclability class from A to C or non-recyclable plus the assessment of the recyclable content based on the Design for Recycling Guidelines. Communication is allowed in B2B and corporate channels (press, web, social).

Recyclability Certificate: For finished packaging assessed for a specific country. It provides an effective recyclability rate, expressed as a percentage, reflecting the share of material that can be collected, sorted and recycled in that market. It is the only certificate that permits full B2C claims.

Which certificate is appropriate depends on the maturity of the packaging design, the geography in scope, and the type of claim you intend to make. We can advise on the right pathway before audit audit test.