This marks an important milestone for the European PET recycling industry as up until now, PET flakes and PET pellets were classified under the same customs codes, making it difficult to distinguish their respective trade flows. PETCORE EUROPE played a key role in advocating for this evolution, bringing together industry expertise and representing the need for more accurate customs classifications at European level. The achievement illustrates the importance of coordinated industry action and constructive dialogue with policymakers.
“Over recent years, PETCORE EUROPE has increased its interface with the EU Commission by creating an Advocacy Working Group, aiming to better and faster represent the needs of the PET Value Chain with the EU Institutions”, declared Antonello Ciotti, Chairman of PETCORE EUROPE. This achievement reflects our sustained engagement in advocating for greater transparency and recognition of recycled PET materials in European trade statistics.”
While the new codes distinguish flakes from other PET forms, they do not differentiate virgin from recycled PET or food-contact from non-food-contact materials. PETCORE EUROPE is continuing its efforts for a code for rPET, which we expect once procedures are in place.
From January 2027, the EU Combined Nomenclature will introduce dedicated codes:
Previous CN code New CN code Description
39076100 39076110 PET flakes, viscosity number ≥78 ml/g
39076100 39076190 Other PET forms, viscosity number ≥78 ml/g
39076900 39076910 PET flakes, viscosity number below 78 ml/g
39076900 39076990 Other PET forms, viscosity number below 78 ml/g
