In the world of bioplastics recycling, certifications are key to ensuring products meet sustainability standards. One such certification is the OK Recycled Certification Scheme, operated by TÜV AUSTRIA. This certification helps verify the recycled content in products, including bioplastics, and boosts consumer confidence. It also helps businesses meet market demands for sustainable products.
Let’s dive into what the OK Recycled Certification Scheme is, how it works, and why it’s essential for bioplastics manufacturers and recyclers looking to succeed in a circular economy.
What is the OK Recycled Certification Scheme?
The OK Recycled Certification Scheme is a third-party system that verifies the percentage of recycled material in products. It applies to many materials, including plastics, metals, textiles, and paper. For plastics, it covers all common polymers, such as PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, and PS. This allows businesses to verify and claim the recycled content in their products.
TÜV AUSTRIA manages the certification, using a mass-balance control system. This means companies must track and account for the recycled input materials, ensuring they match the output of certified products. Traceability is a crucial part of the process, making sure the recycled content is tracked from start to finish.
The certification is accredited by the Hellenic Accreditation System (E.SY.D.), and it has broad recognition. This makes it a trusted tool for companies promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.
How does the OK Recycled Certification Scheme work?
The certification works by ensuring the quantity of recycled material used in production is accurate. Companies need to submit detailed documentation to get certified. This includes records like:
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Material specifications and origin
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Purchasing and delivery documents
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Production logs
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Sales documentation
TÜV AUSTRIA then conducts audits to verify all records. If the system meets the required standards, the product receives the OK Recycled label. The process ensures transparency and trust for both consumers and businesses.
Why is the OK Recycled Label important for bioplastics?
For bioplastics manufacturers, the OK Recycled label is vital. It helps differentiate products in a market that increasingly values sustainability. The label provides an independently verified claim about recycled content, which is essential for building consumer trust.
In the context of EU policies, this certification supports compliance with Directive (EU) 2019/904, which aims to increase recycled content in plastics. The OK Recycled Certification Scheme ensures bioplastics meet EU sustainability goals and aligns companies with environmental standards.
What products can obtain the OK Recycled label?
The OK Recycled Certification Scheme applies to a wide range of products that use recycled materials in production, including:
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Plastics
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Aluminium
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Textiles
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Paper and cardboard
For bioplastics, this certification is especially useful. It allows companies to prove their products contain verified recycled content. This is especially relevant as EU policies push for more recycled materials and sustainable practices. With the OK Recycled label, businesses can meet consumer demand for sustainable and circular solutions.
Want to dive deeper into the OK Recycled Certification Scheme?
If you’re eager to learn more about how the OK Recycled Certification Scheme works, join us for the next Bioplastics Recycling Cluster Talk. This event is organized by European Bioplastics and features insights from the three key research and innovation projects in the cluster: ReBioCycle, MoeBIOS, and PROSPER.
On March 10, 2026, from 12:15 to 1:00 PM GMT+1, we’ll host an expert-led online talk. In this session, an expert from TÜV AUSTRIA Italy will provide an in-depth overview of the OK Recycled Certification Scheme and its role in bioplastics recycling.
The talk includes a 30-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute live Q&A.
Want to dive deeper into the topic? Register for the event here to secure your spot!
Learn more
To follow MoeBIOS’s journey toward sustainable bioplastics recycling:
- Visit our project website
- Follow us on LinkedIn