Germany and Austria launch pilot for recovered paper end-of-waste status

Paper and waste management industry bodies in Germany and Austria are starting a joint pilot project in October 2026 to pursue end-of-waste status for recovered paper. The project aims to develop a practical quality assurance system benchmarked against the EN 643 standard, which could form the basis for a future regulatory classification.

Why this mattersEnd-of-waste status would reclassify recovered paper as a product rather than waste, easing trade and use across borders for fibre packaging producers.

• Pilot project starts in October 2026
• Joint initiative between paper and waste management industries in Germany and Austria
• Quality assurance system benchmarked against EN 643 standard
• Aim is to establish end-of-waste status for recovered paper

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