What is the difference between PCR and PIR, and what counts towards the PPWR quota?

PCR stands for post-consumer recyclate, material from waste that has already reached the end consumer. PIR stands for post-industrial recyclate, material from production waste that never reached a consumer. Only PCR counts towards the minimum recycled content quotas under Article 7 of the PPWR.

Why the distinction can get expensive

Many suppliers report both together as “recycled content”. Packaging with 30 % PIR and 10 % PCR does not meet a 30 per cent quota; it sits at 10 %. Evidence that does not separate PCR and PIR cannot be used for Article 7 at all, no matter how high the combined figure is.

This cuts both ways: counting PIR overstates the quota, while reporting only part of the actual PCR out of caution gives away material that has already been paid for.

Why PIR still has its place

PIR is not inferior material, quite the opposite: it is usually single-grade and well documented. It does not count towards the Article 7 quota, but it certainly counts for a recycled content claim, provided the claim names the type. The mistake is not using PIR, it is failing to declare it separately.

What usable evidence has to do

It must declare PCR and PIR separately, make the origin traceable and account for the material flows in a verifiable balance. The standards for this are DIN EN 15343 for traceability and DIN EN ISO 22095 for chain of custody. The flustix RECYCLED trustmark therefore states the recyclate type explicitly, and its certification programme refers to both standards.

One practical question to the supplier separates usable figures from useless ones: what is the content, and which share of it is post-consumer? Anyone without a substantiated answer has a number, not evidence.