RecyClass and APR: Kiwa simplifies international certification of recycled plastic
As the only independent certifier in the world, Kiwa offers companies in the plastics recycling sector the opportunity to certify their business processes and products under both the European RecyClass and the American APR schemes. This allows organizations active in multiple markets to use a single international certification partner to demonstrate the quality and traceability of recycled plastic.
RecyClass has grown into a major certification scheme for plastic recycling in Europe. The scheme focuses, among other things, on the traceability of recycled plastic, the control of recycling processes, and demonstrating the recyclability of plastic products. APR (Association of Plastic Recyclers) is the American counterpart to RecyClass and focuses specifically on the quality and traceability of post-consumer recycled plastic. The APR PCR Certification Standard helps companies gain insight into how much recycled material is used and where this material comes from.
Combined certification track
Although both schemes share the same goal—namely, creating confidence in recycled plastic—they align with different markets and recycling infrastructures. By offering both RecyClass and APR, Kiwa supports organizations that wish to meet the requirements and expectations of customers, legislators, and other stakeholders in Europe and beyond. A key advantage for companies is that Kiwa can offer combined certification pathways for organizations requiring both RecyClass and APR. This reduces the audit burden and allows organizations to certify more efficiently and often more cost-effectively.
International expertise
Kiwa has a specialized team of auditors with extensive knowledge of plastics recycling and the associated certification schemes. Kiwa supports organizations worldwide from various countries. Kiwa's auditors combine technical knowledge of recycling processes with experience in chain of custody, traceability, and quality assurance. The addition of APR aligns with Kiwa's broader ambition to support organizations in the transition to a circular economy. By offering various internationally recognized certification schemes, Kiwa helps companies translate their sustainability ambitions into demonstrable performance.