Regulatory & Policy August 25, 2026
On August 14 the Commission opened calls for evidence on three acts that decide how recycled content gets counted: the Article 7(8) methodology for calculating and verifying recycled content in plastic packaging, the Article 7(9) sustainability criteria for plastic recycling technologies, and the Article 7(10) rules for recognizing recycled material imported from outside the EU. All three took feedback until September 16, 2026 and drew 188, 223, and 142 responses. (Corrected September 22, 2026: added the Article 7(9) call, which this entry first missed.)
Why the methodology matters. It decides whether chemical recycling counted through mass balance can be used toward the 2030 minimums. If it can, your sourcing options widen considerably, and if it cannot, mechanical recyclate is the only route and supply tightens. It also moves the deadline, because the Article 7(1) targets apply from January 1, 2030 or three years after this act enters into force, whichever is later.
Why the import rules matter. If any of your recyclate comes from outside the EU, this act decides whether it counts at all.
What to do. A call for evidence comes before any draft text, while the shape of the rule is still open. The filings are public on the Article 7(8) methodology and the Article 7(10) import rules.
Source: European Commission Have Your Say, initiatives 18753 (Ares(2026)7895997) and 18752 (Ares(2026)7896043), register entries read August 25, 2026. [SIGNALED]
This entry is part of the PPWR Atlas update log. See the week of August 24, 2026 or the full update archive.