The European Union is preparing tougher rules on plastic imports as domestic recyclers struggle to compete with cheaper foreign materials. European recycling plants have faced closures and reduced output due to an influx of low-cost plastics, including virgin plastics that are often misdeclared as recycled. Rising energy prices and fluctuating oil costs have further squeezed the sector. To address these challenges, the European Commission plans to introduce stricter verification requirements for imported recycled plastics and create separate customs classifications for virgin and recycled plastics, making it easier to track origins and prevent market distortions.
In addition to tighter documentation, the EU is considering stronger monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. These include inspections and audits of recycling facilities outside the EU, as well as laboratory testing to verify the quality and authenticity of imported materials. A dedicated import monitoring system will operate through 2026 to assess whether additional trade measures are necessary. The move follows earlier action against unfair pricing practices, such as anti-dumping duties on imported PET plastics, and reflects growing pressure from several member states to defend Europe’s recycling capacity and advance its circular economy goals. More