October 19, 2024 – Kingfa Eco-Friendly Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Kingfa Eco”), has recently been granted the OK Recycled content certification by TÜV Austria, an internationally renowned certification authority, in accordance with the EN 15343 standard (including UNE EN 15343). This milestone achievement marks Kingfa Eco as the first enterprise in China’s plastic manufacturing sector to attain this prestigious certification. The certification not only unlocks the doors to the European market for Kingfa Eco, offering tax incentives, but also represents a significant breakthrough for China’s plastic industry in the realm of international standardization.
Previously, TÜV Austria China had awarded the UNE-EN 15343:2008-based recycled content certification to Wuxi Shouchuang Color Printing & Packaging Co., Ltd., verifying the recycled plastic content in its plastic bag products. Concurrently, Dongguan Shunxingyuan Packaging Products Co., Ltd. also successfully obtained the EN 15343 certification, highlighting the prowess of Chinese enterprises in the field of recycled plastics.
The EN 15343 standard, established by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), aims to ensure the quality and reliability of recycled plastic through a comprehensive tracing and evaluation system. The core value of this certification lies in guaranteeing the authenticity of recycled plastic content and the traceability of products, thereby providing the market with high-quality recycled products.
Currently, in leading plastic recycling countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK, the EN 15343 certification has become a prerequisite for enterprises to enter the European market. Notably, in Spain, since 2024, non-reusable plastic packaging exported to the country must have its recycled plastic content certified according to the UNE-EN-15343 standard to be eligible for plastic tax exemption.
To promote low-carbon and sustainable development, the EU introduced the “European Plastics Strategy” in 2018, with a goal of achieving circular reuse of all plastic packaging in the EU market by 2030. The Spanish government took the lead in 2022 by enacting the “Plastic Tax,” which has been in effect since January 1, 2023, levying taxes on non-recycled plastic packaging materials circulating within its borders and requiring companies to make their first payments starting in 2024. Additionally, Greece has legislated that, from January 1, 2025, single-use plastic carrier bags (excluding biodegradable or compostable plastics) within its territory must contain at least 30% recycled plastic and bear markings compliant with standards such as EN 15343.
Therefore, obtaining the EN 15343 certification not only signifies that a company can supply high-quality recycled products to the market but also enables its EU export clients to actively respond to the “European Plastics Strategy.” Furthermore, it provides a potential avenue for businesses to circumvent the increasingly stringent plastic taxes imposed by the EU, serving as a crucial competitive advantage in the international market.