APR PCR Certification

Post-consumer resin (PCR), also known as post-consumer recycled content, is plastic material that can no longer be used for its intended purpose. It can be generated by households or by commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product. PCR is different than PIR (Post-industrial resin/recycled content). PIR is material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process.

The APR PCR Certification program provides transparency to support a reliable, robust PCR market. Reclaimers can choose from multiple APR-approved certification bodies (CB) to conduct an independent audit against the requirements of the APR standards and, upon successful completion, issue APR PCR certification. Brand companies and converters can commit to using certified PCR along with their APR PCR certification to promote a chain of custody along the supply chain. In addition to taking a leadership role in reducing plastic waste, certified companies are preparing for upcoming regulations and helping to protect against reputational and legal challenges.

The APR PCR Certification Program has three components:

1. APR provides independent third-party companies to conduct the certification process.
2. Producers manufacturing PCR or using it in their products hire these companies to conduct audits and, if successful, are issued an APR certification.
3. APR validates the independent audit and certificate and promotes companies certified to the APR PCR Standard on our website.

The primary difference is that the new program is no longer endorsement based.  As the voice of the recycling industry, APR is taking the lead in setting the standard for PCR certification.  Specifically:

• APR has developed its own official PCR certification scheme based on ISO Chain-of-Custody and Traceability standards, including requirements for elements of management systems to be in place and traceability through sales of product. 
• The standard has been written in coordination with EU RecyClass’s Audit Scheme for Recycled Plastics Traceability and associated modules to provide needed global harmonization and more efficient processing for multinational companies.
• The program covers all major types of plastic resin and can be used in any application of recycled content.
• The updated program will be more efficient for multi-site companies, allowing for multi-site certification under one “corporate” certificate.
• Recertification will now be done on a three-year cycle.  Annual audits will still need to be completed but will be done on a surveillance-based methodology.
• Like its previous program, companies can choose from multiple APR-approved certification bodies (CB) to conduct an independent audit against the requirements of the APR standards.  Once the audit is successfully completed, a certificate is issued, and the company can be listed in APR’s Certified PCR Directory.
• Organizations who currently hold APR PCR certification will be granted a grace period in which to certify to the new standard.  Reclaimers with certificates that will expire within a few months of the launch of the new program will have the option to renew under the “previous” program requirements and will receive a one-year certificate.
• The new program will be rolled out in phases, beginning with a new standard developed for reclaimers and recyclers, followed by a standard covering converters and finished goods manufacturers.  Supporting documents detailing logo, label and claim use and requirements for APR’s approved certification bodies will also be released.

The APR standard has been written in coordination with EU RecyClass’s Audit Scheme for Recycled Plastics Traceability and associated modules in an effort to provide needed global harmonization and more efficient processing for multinational companies.  Interested organizations should be able to complete audits and receive certification for both standards at the same time while reducing costs as the standard requirements are harmonized.  Please check with your selected Certification Body to confirm.    

Companies currently certified to the APR guidelines will have a grace period to convert to the new updated APR PCR Certification standards over the course of an audit cycle.  Depending on when a certified organization is due for recertification, they may opt to certify to the previous APR program or certify to the new standard. 

The new program launched in November, 2024, and has set the following transition guidelines:

• Reclaimers who are newly certified or those who have recertified after July 1^st, 2024 will NOT be required to immediately recertify to the new standard.  They will be expected to certify to the new standard by their expiry date in 2025. 
• Reclaimers who are currently certified and whose certificate expiry date falls on or before July 1^st, 2025, will have the option to recertify to the old standard if they do not believe they are ready to certify to the new standard.
• Reclaimers who are currently certified and whose certificate expiry date falls after July 1^st, 2025, will be expected to recertify to the new standard.  
• Reclaimers who seek new/initial certification after April 1^st, 2025, will be required to certify to the new standard.

Any organization generating PCR pellet, flake or a product containing PCR or performing a portion of the associated manufacturing processes can get certified through this program. Organizations who receive certification are recognized on the APR website in a directory of certified PCR. Any brand companies or converters can use our listing to find certified PCR.

Certifying companies can apply for endorsement from APR, to become an auditor.

See HERE for the current list of APR-approved certifying bodies.  All APR-approved certifying bodies must meet APR’s criteria and adhere to APR’s standards to ensure a clear, consistent definition of PCR. The certifying bodies do vary in size, business focus, and additional services, so APR recommends that any organization considering certification review the websites for more information.

• During the certification process, each organization will choose a certification body whom they will work with to develop an audit plan, sign a contract, and complete an audit. 
• During the audit, documents supporting the material flow and traceability of PCR through the process will be reviewed, calculations verifying input versus output quantities and/or product PCR content will be performed, and compliance with all requirements of the APR standard will be evaluated during either an on-site or remote audit.
• At the conclusion of the process, producers will be provided with a certificate confirming compliance to the requirements of the APR standard. The certificate will be valid for three years provided continued conformance to the standard is maintained.
• To see a full description of the process, see here.

The cost will vary based on the number of products being certified, the number and size of sites being audited, how much the certification bodies charge and several other factors.  You can expect the cost for the certification process to begin at approximately $5,000 USD. Contact the APR-approved certifying bodies to request a quote.

APR charges an annual fee of $850 USD for members or $1700 USD for non-members, which covers APRs cost for administering the certification program.  This fee will be collected at the time of the audit in conjunction with the certification body fees.

This Program was created to strengthen and increase plastic recycling. The APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability helps companies design packaging from the start so that it can be recycled, and the APR PCR Certification program builds on the APR Design Guide to promote and ensure a reliable, robust market for the production and consumption of recycled content in the form of postconsumer resin (PCR.) This program strengthens the demand for PCR by providing confidence to buyers that the PCR they seek is legitimate, while simultaneously promoting the legitimate PCR for sale by plastics reclaimers.

PIR (post-industrial resin) typically has a specification that is consistent and predictable, which means it already easily finds a market and has a strong demand. In order to move to a circular economy and help turn old plastic packaging into new recycled content, we believe the industry must focus on strengthening and promoting the PCR market

This program focuses on tracking the flow of PCR through the recycling process and subsequent sale to the next link in the supply chain.  Although APR believes that chemical recycling can work alongside mechanical recycling to process plastics not easily recycled by mechanical means, the current version of APR’s standard focuses on mechanical recycling.  APR will be releasing an addendum detailing circumstances where they may consider certifying chemical recycling.    

APR lists certified PCR suppliers on its website HERE. Please contact us to start the process.

Yes.  APR updated the program to provide the industry with standards for certifying the recycling process from the reclaimer through sales of converted and end products (finished goods).  By certifying the process, it ensures that the goods produced through the certified supply chain links meet the requirements of the standard throughout the process.

PCR is becoming a requirement in many states. As of August 2024, it has been added into content mandate laws in California, Washington, New Jersey and using PCR is an incentive in some states with EPR legislation, including Oregon, Maine and Colorado. APR has provided technical expertise and counsel to many state legislators as they discuss certification as a way to enforce these laws.

PCR is also a requirement of voluntary commitments– such as Ellen McArthur Foundation, US Plastics Pact, and the Canadian Plastics Pact. Buying or selling certified PCR can help to meet your company meet voluntary commitments and minimum content requirements as well as protect against possible reputational challenges.

Supporting PCR Certification is important for both buyers and sellers of recycled content. As a brand
company, you play an important role by requesting certified PCR from your vendors. You can start by making sure your procurement teams know what questions to ask when inquiring about PCR and you can go further by requiring certified PCR in your contracts. See additional PCR Certification Procurement Guidance.

Additionally, brand and packaging manufacturers can get final packaging certified through the APR PCR Certification program, to meet legislative and voluntary recycled content requirements.

Certification benefits the entire industry. PCR Certification will be a simple step for reclaimers that have
robust Quality Assurance (QA) procedures in place and are confident in their material sources, and it will
encourage positive change in those who do not. PCR Certification will help build a more stable and reliable
PCR industry.

Audits that support FDA and food-grade compliance are focused on the quality of materials for health
purposes. PCR certification audits focus on the source of the materials for circularity purposes. Both are
important, but the process is different. PCR certification is a relatively simple process and much of the supporting documentation for your FDA audits can be used to fulfill PCR certification requirements.

PCR supply is low today and that is a challenge for many companies. And when buyers signal more demand,
that is often what helps to change the market and lead to increased production and supply. This is true for
certified PCR as well. Many reclaimers are waiting for buyers to demand certification. The purchasing
practices of converters and brand companies are integral to developing a stable PCR market. Long term
contracts provide reclaimers with the certainty to invest in increasing the supply and quality of the PCR they
manufacture. And reclaimers will also make the investment to get certified, which helps build a more stable
and reliable PCR industry.

Creating a reliable, transparent and robust market for PCR is necessary to build a truly circular economy, and
taking the first steps today—whether it is giving procurement teams a list of questions to ask, or requiring
certified PCR—will enable you to achieve long-term goals.

The new updated APR standard focuses on certifying the production processes throughout the supply chain to ensure accurate, consistent and robust accounting of the PCR content at every step.  Although there may be different or additional items in each of the standards such as environmental or process elements, the overall focus on traceability of the PCR content remains the same and many of the elements of the standards are consistent or similar throughout all the standard documents.