The Centre technique industriel de la plasturgie et des composites (IPC) and the Laboratoire national de métrologie et d'essais (LNE) have joined forces to create a certification scheme for industrial users of recycled plastics. This certification will attest to the overall volumes of recycled plastic integrated into a plant, as well as the specific quantities contained in a product.
The use of recycled raw materials (RRM) is one of the pillars of the plastics circular economy. It enables a massive decarbonization of industrial activity and avoids the use of non-renewable natural resources. French plastics manufacturers have pledged to integrate increasing quantities of RPM to reach the threshold of 20 % by 2025.
It has become essential to objectively certify the quantities of PRM used by a manufacturer, whether across the whole production chain or in specific products. This is why LNE and IPC have decided to join forces to draw up a certification standard. This standard will enable objective, independent assessments to be carried out on production sites through audits carried out by LNE.
LNE, a certification body accredited to ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17065 standards under the supervision of the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance, has extensive expertise in the plastics industry. In particular, it issues certifications for PE pipes for gas and drinking water distribution, PVC profiles for roller shutters, and bags for waste collection. It also carries out a wide range of tests on plastics, including physicochemical characterization, qualification of mechanical behavior and gas permeability.
IPC, which shares the same supervisory authority as LNE, initiated this initiative in order to respond rapidly to the needs of the industry. "It's thanks to the agility of our CTI and its network of 2,000 nationals that we can act quickly and create ad-hoc this essential tool to support companies subject to new regulations".says IPC General Manager Luc Uytterhaeghe.
This initiative is part of PolyCert Europe, a pan-European harmonization system for MPR integration certification, supported by the European plastics converters' trade association (EuPC). Belgium, Italy, Spain and Germany have already joined the program.
This standard is the first step in a collaboration between two complementary organizations, which will pool their expertise in the various areas concerning certification in the plastics industry.
"The creation of this standard is fully in line with two of the major missions entrusted to us by the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance: supporting industry and preserving the environment.says Thomas Grenon, LNE's general manager.
"It is essential that France, too, adopt a certification system designed to guarantee the integration of PRM in plastic products, whatever their origin. This will significantly increase the competitiveness of our industry".emphasizes Jean Martin, General Delegate of Polyvia, the French trade association for the plastics and composites industry.
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