APR adds Europe-based PCR auditor

Kiwa Netherlands has been added as the newest certification body to join the list of companies that meet criteria and comply with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) PCR certification program.

According to the Washington-based APR, Kiwa has a staff of 30 auditors specific to recycling and can perform audits in multiple languages and around the world.

The association says Kiwa now becomes the first company able to conduct simultaneous APR and RecyClass audits, referring to the Brussels-based RecyClass certification program. APR developed its own PCR certification standard last year in alignment with RecyClass.

APR's PCR certifications standard is 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, covers all major types of plastic resin and can be used in any application of recycled content.

“We are pleased to add Kiwa Netherlands to our list of recommended certifying bodies,” says Rita Phillip, program director for APR PCR certification. “Their vast geographic footprint, ability to perform audits in multiple languages and alignment with RecyClass contribute to ongoing efforts to achieve a global circular economy for plastics.”

In addition to English, Kiwa Netherlands can perform audits in French, Dutch, Spanish, German, Turkish, Chinese, Italian, Polish, Swedish and Finnish.

The firm joins a roster of APR-recommended certifying bodies that includes Minnesota-based Think Green (which provides audits in English, Spanish and Portuguese), as well as Florida-based AM Testing, Pennsylvania-based GreenCircle Certified LLC, California-based SCS Global, and Illinois-based UL Solutions.

“PCR certification is essential to promote standardization and trust across the global supply chain,” APR President and CEO Steve Alexander says. “The APR PCR certification program enhances accountability and transparency, helping companies meet the growing legal requirements for recycled plastic resin, particularly those related to minimum recycled content standards and extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations in North America and around the world.”