CEPI revises ‘Paper for Recycling Quality Control Guidelines’

CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries) based in Brussels, has published an updated version of “Paper for Recycling – Quality Control Guidelines,” including an annex that outlines in more detail the technical measurements.

The updated version is the result of sustained industry consultation, CEPI says, and is a step toward achieving a harmonised approach on quality control and measurement.

The additional annex provides more detailed information on instrumental analysis via automatic sensor near infra-red (NIR) and via automatic microwave sensor.

The updated guidelines were first launched in April 2016 with the objective to improve the implementation of the revised EN 643 Standard and to facilitate commercial relationships of paper mills with their suppliers of paper for recycling.

The European Standard EN 643, European List of Standard Grades of Paper and Board for Recycling, is the basic document to be used by industry professionals in buying and selling paper for recycling. The standard was revised in 2014 and defines what the different grades of paper for recycling can and cannot contain, as well as defining prohibited materials and unwanted materials. It also sets maximum tolerance levels by grade for unwanted materials. 

Massimo Medugno, director General of Assocarta, CEPI’s member in Italy, says, “The inclusion of the annex reflects the trend of paper companies increasingly using technical measurement in their quality control. The focus on quality is crucial for the functioning of secondary raw material markets and makes paper recycling a role model for the circular economy.”

While CEPI says it remains actively engaged in the ongoing standardisation process on the sampling of paper for recycling, the present guidelines are wider in scope.

The guidelines put emphasis on the inspection procedure for quality control at the paper mill and explain what controllers should consider during an inspection to decide if a load should be accepted, conditionally accepted or refused. The control procedure recommended is described in detail and illustrated by a “decision tree” at the end of the document.

CEPI says it encourages its member companies to apply the new guidelines in the purchasing paper for recycling market.

English and French versions of the revised guidelines are available at the CEP website at  here

CEPI represents some 505 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multinationals, and 920 paper mills. Together they represent 23% of world production.