RecyClass and certification

Which RecyClass certification should you choose?

The appropriate RecyClass scheme depends on a company's actual position in the value chain: its input material, process, output material and the aspect that needs to be independently verified.

Updated:

October 2, 2026

•

min read

PREPARED BY

Almaland editorial team

Content prepared using RecyClass documentation, European Union legislation and other primary sources, with reference to auditing and certification practice.

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SOURCE STATUS

Translation of the Polish article. The source article records a scheme documentation check on 28 September 2026.

Read in another language:

Polish German

AT A GLANCE

A simple initial question is whether you handle waste, produce recycled material, use recycled material in further manufacturing or assess packaging design. The answer usually points to the relevant RecyClass area.

Start with the input material and the process output

A company's name does not determine the appropriate scheme. A recycler may also carry out sorting, a converter may produce blends, and a trading company may operate at different stages of the chain. What matters is the actual process.

Sorting Process

Consider this scheme if the activity involves sorting plastic waste or eligible waste-trading operations before the recycling stage.

Recycling Process

This scheme is suitable for processes that convert plastic waste into recycled output material. The key question is whether the output is a material intended to replace virgin material or another raw material.

Recycled Plastics Traceability

Consider this scheme if you purchase recycled material and use it in further manufacturing, compounding, conversion or trading, and the aim is to verify traceability and recycled content.

RecyClass Recyclability

This area concerns packaging design and its technical recyclability. It is not intended to confirm the percentage of recycled material in a product.

What if a company carries out several different activities?

One organisation may need more than one scheme. For example, a facility may operate a recycling process and then manufacture further products using its own recycled material. The scopes must then be separated according to the actual material flow.

Five questions to help determine the scope

Does the input have the status of waste or recycled material?
What exactly happens to it during the process?
What is produced at the output?
What do you want to communicate to the customer?
Is an additional module or a specific application relevant?

Key takeaway

The choice of scheme should follow the actual material flow and the purpose of certification. The documentation, timing and cost of the process can then be assessed.

HOW TO USE THIS ARTICLE

Practical guidance grounded in source documents

Use the current scheme documentation and the actual scope of your activities when making decisions about a specific process. Check the dates and sources below.

CHECK THE DATE

Scheme requirements and regulations change. Publication and update dates show which version of the requirements the article reflects.

CHECK THE SOURCE

For RecyClass requirements, consult the current scheme documentation; for legal requirements, the applicable legislation; and for accreditation status, official PCA documents.

APPLY IT TO YOUR PROCESS

The same requirement may have different implications depending on the process, site, material, product, module or scheme version. An article does not replace an individual assessment of the scope.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Primary source: RecyClass – Certifications.

Additional source: Official scheme documentation.

Source check recorded in the Polish article: 28 September 2026. Before applying any requirements, check the current document edition, the scheme's scope and any subsequent updates.