New standard to be released for paper to improve recycling quality

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The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) is to revise the European List of Standard Grades of Paper and Board for Recycling in order to improve quality.

National standardisation bodies that are members of CEN voted unanimously in favour of the update to the EN643 standard this week.

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By February 2014, CEN and the national bodies will publish a final text for the revised EN643.

This will include a grade-specific tolerance level for non-paper components and more detailed descriptions per grade.

As a result, the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is advising all organisations and individuals involved in the trade of paper and board for recycling to prepare for the introduction of the update standard.

CEPI recycling and environment director Jori Ringman-Beck said: “Although this material has a waste status legally, it is important to push quality management through the whole supply chain.

“We are happy that the standardisation authorities agreed with the revisions further improving the EN643 standard. I believe the new EN643 will surely advance the quality of paper for recycling and improve paper recycling by eliminating unwanted materials early on in the paper recovery process. This is another contribution by CEPI, ERPA and FEAD to a resource efficient EU.”

CEPI is organising an information session on 27 November in Brussels and is preparing guidance on the differences in the old and new standard that will be distributed at the event.