Cefic Urges EU to Harmonise Chemical Recycling Waste Rules

The European chemical industry council, Cefic, has called on the European Commission to introduce EU-wide ‘end-of-waste’ criteria for chemical recycling. This move is aimed at addressing the current ‘regulatory fragmentation’ that is holding back investment in circular plastics. In a position paper released on 25 June, Cefic welcomed the Commission’s draft ‘Implementing Act’ for mechanical and solvent-based recycling, but noted that a dedicated framework for chemical recycling is still missing. The lack of EU-wide criteria means that member states are applying different interpretations of when waste ceases to be waste, creating barriers to cross-border trade. Cefic described chemical recycling as a complementary technology to mechanical and solvent-based recycling, and stated that scaling up chemical recycling is key to meeting the EU’s circularity and recycled-content targets while reducing emissions. The association has called on the Commission to establish harmonised end-of-waste criteria, adopt a technology-neutral approach, and recognise that waste may cease to be waste at different stages of the chemical recycling process. Without a dedicated framework, Cefic warned that regulatory fragmentation will continue to slow down innovation, disrupt cross-border value chains, and delay investments in chemical recycling capacity in Europe. The industry body concluded that providing legal certainty and a level playing field across the EU is essential to unlock investment, scale up circular solutions, and accelerate industrial transition.