SCS Standards launches independent certification for chemical recycling
SCS Standards and Assurance Systems has published what it describes as the chemical recycling sector's first independent, third-party certification standard, offering processors, brand owners and waste holders an audit route separate from existing industry-authored frameworks. The launch materials do not yet disclose the full standard text, mass-balance rules, feedstock eligibility criteria, audit methodology, pricing or any accredited auditors or applicant facilities. Commercial relevance will depend on recognition under the FTC Green Guides, EU PPWR recycled-content rules and US state-level EPR definitions.
Why this mattersAn independent audit route could tighten scrutiny of mass-balance claims in chemical recycling just as PPWR recycled-content rules take shape.
- SCS Standards and Assurance Systems released the standard on 10 October 2026.
- It is billed as the first independent, third-party certification standard for responsible chemical recycling.
- Existing chemical recycling assurance frameworks have largely been authored by the plastics and petrochemical industries.
- The launch materials omit thresholds, mass-balance rules, feedstock eligibility criteria, audit frequency and chain-of-custody requirements.
- No accredited auditors or applicant facilities have been named.
- Mass-balance accounting in chemical recycling has drawn US legal complaints and EU competition-authority scrutiny.