What changes on 18 November 2026?
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2376 of 28 October 2026, published in the Official Journal on 29 October 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2022/1616.
Point | New rule |
|---|---|
Declaration of compliance | Owed at every business-to-business stage before retail |
Declarations C and P | C: simplified, based on a Declaration A or B; P: for pre-processed input material |
Register | Non-public electronic system for registering recycling installations |
Customs | Release of recycled PET for free circulation depends on the documents in Table 6 |
Who is affected by the recycled plastic food contact rules?
Recyclers, converters and any maker of recycled-PET preforms, bottles, films, trays or tableware sold in the EU. PET waste needs Declaration P, recycled resin Declaration P, A or B, and bottles or films Declaration C. Packaged food sits outside the customs rule.
For exporters in Morocco and Africa, the EU importer will no longer clear goods without the right declaration. A recycler outside the EU registers its installation at least 30 working days before production, and Declaration P flags any input with at least 10% plastic from waste collected outside the EU.
What should you do before 18 February 2027?
- This week: list the recycled-PET products you sell into the EU and their customs codes.
- Before 18 February 2027: get the new-format Declaration A or B from your supplier and issue your own.
- Before 18 May 2027: put in place the Declarations C or P your products need.
- Ongoing: keep the supporting file ready; authorities can ask for it within ten working days.
Which dates matter?
Effect on 18 November 2026; the transition for Declarations A or B ends on 18 February 2027; Declarations C or P are required after 18 May 2027. Articles already made from these products may be sold until stocks run out.