A recycler's perspective on the implications of REACH and food contact material (FCM) regulations for the mechanical recycling of FCM plastics.

This manuscript provides an overview of the legislative requirements for the use of mechanical recycled plastics in articles placed on the EU market, as seen from the perspective of a plastics recycler. The first part reviews the main principles included in the overarching legislation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals (REACH) and to what extent these are applicable for mechanical recyclers of plastics. The interactions between REACH and the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) is discussed, as well as the difficulties for recyclers to comply with certain REACH requirements.