EN 15348:2024
(Main)Plastics - Recycled plastics - Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates
Plastics - Recycled plastics - Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates
This document specifies the main characteristics and associated test methods for assessing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates intended for use in the production of semi-finished/finished products.
It is intended to support parties involved in the use of PET recyclates to agree on specifications for specific and generic applications.
This document does not cover the characterization of plastics wastes, which is covered by the EN 15347 series, neither traceability topics which are covered by EN 15343.
This document is applicable without prejudice to any existing legislation.
Kunststoffe - Kunststoff-Rezyklate - Charakterisierung von Polyethylenterephthalat (PET)-Rezyklaten
Dieses Dokument benennt die wichtigsten Eigenschaften und die dazugehörigen Prüfverfahren für die Bewertung von Polyethylenterephthalat(PET)-Rezyklaten, die für die Produktion von Halbzeugen/Fertigprodukten vorgesehen sind.
Es ist dafür vorgesehen (Vertrags )Partner, die sich mit dem Einsatz von PET-Rezyklaten beschäftigen, bei der Einigung auf Spezifikationen für spezifische und allgemeine Anwendungen zu unterstützen.
Dieses Dokument behandelt weder die Charakterisierung von Kunststoffabfällen, die von der Normenreihe EN 15347 abgedeckt werden, noch Themen zur Rückverfolgbarkeit, die von EN 15343 abgedeckt werden.
Dieses Dokument beeinträchtigt bei seiner Anwendung keinerlei geltende Vorschriften.
Plastiques - Plastiques recyclés - Caractérisation des recyclats de poly(éthylène téréphtalate) (PET)
Le présent document spécifie les principales caractéristiques et les méthodes d’essai associées pour évaluer les recyclats de poly(éthylène téréphtalate) (PET) destinés à être utilisés dans la production de produits semi-finis/finis.
Il est destiné à aider les parties concernées par l’utilisation de recyclats de PET pour convenir de spécifications concernant des applications spécifiques ou générales.
Le présent document ne couvre pas la caractérisation des déchets de plastiques, qui est couverte par la série EN 15347, ou les questions de traçabilité qui sont couvertes par l’EN 15343.
Le présent document est applicable sans préjudice de toute réglementation existante.
Polimerni materiali - Reciklirani polimerni materiali - Karakterizacija reciklatov polietilen-tereftalata (PET)
Ta dokument določa metodo za določevanje dobavnih pogojev za reciklate poli(etilen-tereftalata) (PET).
Navaja najpomembnejše značilnosti in povezane preskusne metode za ocenjevanje reciklatov polietilen-tereftalata za uporabo pri proizvodnji polizdelkov/končnih izdelkov.
Namenjen je kot podpora vsem stranem, ki uporabljajo polietilen-tereftalat (PET) v okviru mehanske reciklaže, pri dogovarjanju glede specifikacij za posebno in splošno uporabo.
Ta dokument ne posega v nobeno obstoječo zakonodajo.
Ta dokument ne zajema karakterizacije polimernih odpadkov (to je zajeto v standardu EN 15347), niti sledljivosti, ki je zajeta v standardu EN 15343.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2024
Polimerni materiali - Reciklirani polimerni materiali - Karakterizacija reciklatov
polietilen-tereftalata (PET)
Plastics - Recycled plastics - Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)
recyclates
Kunststoffe - Kunststoff-Rezyklate - Charakterisierung von Polyethylenterephthalat
(PET)-Rezyklaten
Plastiques - Plastiques recyclés - Caractérisation des recyclats de poly(éthylène
téréphtalate) (PET)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 15348:2024
ICS:
13.030.50 Recikliranje Recycling
83.080.20 Plastomeri Thermoplastic materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 15348
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.030.50; 83.080.20 Supersedes EN 15348:2014
English Version
Plastics - Recycled plastics - Characterization of
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates
Plastiques - Plastiques recyclés - Caractérisation des Kunststoffe - Kunststoff-Rezyklate - Charakterisierung
recyclats de poly(éthylène téréphtalate) (PET) von Polyethylenterephthalat (PET)-Rezyklaten
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 19 February 2024.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 15348:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 8
5 Characterization of PET recyclates . 8
6 Quality assurance . 12
Annex A (normative) Determination of size and distribution of PET-R flakes by sieving . 13
A.1 General . 13
A.2 Principle . 13
A.3 Apparatus . 13
A.4 Procedure. 13
A.5 Number of determinations . 14
A.6 Determination and expression of the results . 14
A.7 Test report . 15
Annex B (informative) Gravimetric method for the determination of residual humidity
(water content) . 16
B.1 General . 16
B.2 Principle . 16
B.3 Apparatus . 16
B.4 Procedure. 16
B.5 Expression of results . 17
B.6 Test report . 17
Annex C (normative) Rapid method for the determination of residual contaminants . 18
C.1 General . 18
C.2 Principle . 18
C.3 Apparatus . 18
C.4 Procedure. 18
C.5 Expression of results . 19
C.6 Test report . 20
Annex D (normative) Rapid method for the determination of Polyolefin contaminants. 21
D.1 General . 21
D.2 Principle . 21
D.3 Apparatus . 21
D.4 Procedure . 21
D.5 Expression of results . 22
D.6 Test report . 22
Annex E (informative) Potentiometric method for the determination of the residual
alkalinity . 23
E.1 General . 23
E.2 Principle . 23
E.3 Apparatus . 23
E.4 Reagents . 23
E.5 Procedure . 23
E.6 Expression of results . 23
E.7 Test report . 24
Annex F (informative) Method for the determination of infusible contaminants by filtration . 25
F.1 General . 25
F.2 Principle . 25
F.3 Apparatus . 25
F.4 Procedure . 25
F.5 Expression of results . 26
F.6 Test report . 26
Bibliography . 27
European foreword
This document (EN 15348:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2024, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 15348:2014.
This document includes the following significant changes with respect to EN 15348:2014:
— Scope has been clarified;
— Normative References have been updated;
— Terms and definitions have been removed, reference to EN ISO 472 and CEN/TR 15353 have
remained;
— Clause 4 “Symbols and abbreviations” has been added;
— Clause 5 “Characterization of PET recyclates” and Table 1 “Characterization of PET recyclates” have
been completely revised;
— In Clause 6 “Quality assurance” requirement regarding traceability has been added;
— Annex C “Rapid method for the determination of residual contaminants” has been revised;
— Annex D “Rapid method for the determination of Polyolefin contaminants” has been added.
— Annex A to F: harmonization of the content of the Test reports.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
This document is one part of a series of CEN publications on Plastics Recycling, which is structured as
follows:
— EN 15342, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of polystyrene (PS) recyclates
— EN 15343, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Plastics recycling traceability and assessment of conformity
and recycled content
— EN 15344, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of Polyethylene (PE) recyclates
— EN 15345, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of Polypropylene (PP) recyclates
— EN 15346, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) recyclates
— EN 15347, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of sorted plastics wastes
— EN 15348, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)
recyclates
— CEN/TR 15353, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Guidelines for the development of standards for
recycled plastics
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Introduction
Recycling plastic waste is one type of material recovery process intended to save resources (virgin raw
materials, water, and energy), while minimizing harmful emissions into air, water and soil as well as
any impacts on human health. The environmental impact of recycling must be assessed over the whole
life cycle of the recycling system (from the waste generation point to the disposal of final residues). To
ensure that recycling constitutes the best environmental option for treating the available waste, some
prerequisites should preferably be met:
— recycling scheme being contemplated should generate lower environmental impacts than
alternative recovery options;
— existing or potential market outlets should be identified that will secure a sustainable industrial
recycling operation;
— collection and sorting schemes should be properly designed to deliver recyclable plastics waste
fractions fitting reasonably well with the available recycling technologies and with the (changing)
needs of the identified market outlets, preferably at minimum costs to society.
This document has been produced in accordance with the guidance produced by CEN on Environmental
Aspects and in accordance with CEN/TR 15353.
NOTE CEN/TR 15353 considers the general environmental aspects, which are specific to the recycling
process.
During their life, products are temporarily out of industrial control Consequently, at the end user stage,
it is often impossible to trace back each individual product and whether it has been used correctly
through its life cycle.
1 Scope
This document specifies the main characteristics and associated test methods for assessing of
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates intended for use in the production of semi-
finished/finished products.
It is intended to support parties involved in the use of PET recyclates to agree on specifications for
specific and generic applications.
This document does not cover the characterization of plastics wastes, which is covered by the
EN 15347 series, neither traceability topics which are covered by EN 15343.
This document is applicable without prejudice to any existing legislation.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
CEN/TR 15353, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Guidelines for the development of standards for recycled
plastics
EN 15343, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Plastics recycling traceability and assessment of conformity and
recycled content
EN 17615, Plastics — Environmental Aspects — Vocabulary
EN ISO 60, Plastics — Determination of apparent density of material that can be poured from a specified
funnel (ISO 60)
EN ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary (ISO 472)
EN ISO 1133-2, Plastics — Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate
(MVR) of thermoplastics — Part 2: Method for materials sensitive to time-temperature history and/or
moisture (ISO 1133-2)
EN ISO 1183-1, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 1:
Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1)
EN ISO 11357-3, Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) — Part 3: Determination of
temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization (ISO 11357-3)
EN ISO/CIE 11664-4, Colorimetry — Part 4: CIE 1976 L*a*b* colour space (ISO/CIE 11664-4)
EN ISO 15512, Plastics — Determination of water content (ISO 15512)
EN ISO 23900-5, Pigments and extenders — Methods of dispersion and assessment of dispersibility in
plastics — Part 5: Determination by filter pressure value test (ISO 23900-5)
ISO 565, Test sieves — Metal wire cloth, perforated metal plate and electroformed sheet — Nominal sizes
of openings
ISO 1628-5, Plastics — Determination of the viscosity of polymers in dilute solution using capillary
viscometers — Part 5: Thermoplastic polyester (TP) homopolymers and copolymers
ISO 3534-2, Statistics — Vocabulary and symbols — Part 2: Applied statistics
ISO 12418-2, Plastics — Post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottle recyclates — Part 2:
Preparation of test specimens and determination of properties
ASTM D6980-17, Standard Test Method for Determination of Moisture in Plastics by Loss in Weight
ASTM D1895, Standard Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic
Materials
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 472, EN 17615 and
CEN/TR 15353 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the symbols and abbreviations related to recyclates are given in
EN ISO 1043-1 and below.
PET-R PET recyclate
5 Characterization of PET recyclates
A single batch is the quantity of recyclate that has homogenous characteristics within the specified
tolerances.
The characteristics of PET recyclates, which shall be met for every batch according to ISO 3534-2 of PET
recyclate are shown in Table 1, and are divided into two types:
a) required characteristics needed to characterize PET recyclates in general and required for all
recyclates;
b) optional characteristics needed to characterize PET recyclates according to customer specifications
and applications.
These characteristics shall be assessed by using the test methods given in Table 1. Where possible, the
supplier should provide information on the original applications.
If the recyclates are produced under the conditions of food contact approvals, the supplier shall provide
all the necessary information related to the food contact agreements obtained from the authorities and
conditions established in these agreements.
Other tests may be carried out by agreement between the purchaser and the supplier and results
reported.
A certificate of analysis giving the test results for each batch of recyclate shall be provided by the
supplier to the purchaser upon request.
Where several methods are listed in Table 1, the certificate of analysis should specify the method used
for each measured parameter.
The purchaser may require some additional information on recyclate composition from the recycler in
order to facilitate the legal use of the recyclate.
Table 1 — Characterization of PET recyclates
Characteristics Unit Test methods Flakes Pellets Comments
(M/O) (M/O)
General information
Product name - - M M Indicate product
name and/or
reference
Colour by visual - - M - For example,
inspection Unicolour,
transparent,
mixed
Origin of - - O O Indicate the type
material of products which
are composing the
incoming material
and the source:
Agriculture,
Building and
Construction,
Packaging –
Household,
Packaging -
Transport and
Industry,
“Housewares,
Leisure, Sports
etc”, Mixed origin,
Others (specify)
Shape - Visual inspection M M Flakes, pellets
Density and particle size
Fine particle Weight % Annex A M - Value in
content percentage of the
particles passing
the sieve of 1 mm.
Characteristics Unit Test methods Flakes Pellets Comments
(M/O) (M/O)
Particle size Weight % Annex A O - Any additional
distribution sieve (e.g. sieve of
0,5 mm) may be
added upon
common approval
with the customer
through a
specification
Bulk density EN ISO 60 or M O Any alternative
kg/m
ASTM D1895, Method C method may be
used upon
common approval
with the customer
through a
specification
Density EN ISO 1183-1 O O -
kg/m
Pellet size g or number Weight of 100 pellets or - M -
number of pellets in 1 g
Viscosity
Determination EN ISO 1133-2 O M -
Melt Mass-Flow
Rate (MFR)
Intrinsic dl/g ISO 1628-5 or - O -
viscosity (I.V.) EN ISO 1133-2
Colour
Colou
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