The European list of standard grades of recovered paper and board is for use by industry professionals, organizations and individuals with an interest in the recovered paper sector. It assists in the buying and selling of this raw material intended for recycling by the paper and board industry.
Paper and board mills may ask for a declaration from the supplier about the origin of the material, in relation to national regulations or standard requirements.
This list also provides help and support for Customs and Excise Officers who are required to classify these raw materials from waste in the context of supranational legislation on the control of waste movement.
Recovered paper and board originating from multi material collection systems, containing only material of a valuable, recyclable nature, has to be specifically marked. It is not permissible to mix it unmarked with other recovered paper and board.
This European list specifies European Standard grades of recovered paper and board which gives a general description of the standard grades by defining what they do and do not contain.
It is not the purpose of this European Standard to specify all the qualities of recovered paper and board that exist in the different markets, but rather to define those qualities most commonly traded in Europe. The description of the standard grades is brief, and for this reason it is recognized that specific deals between buyer and supplier for standard grades with special specifications will still be necessary to meet individual requirements and will not be excluded by any implied regulations associated with the publication of this standard.
This list contains a group of recovered paper grades (Group 5 "Special qualities") that, in most cases, can only be recycled using specific processes, or can cause some particular constraints to recycling. Their inclusion in the list is justified by the existence of a significant European market. Actual recycling of the qualities can only be done by a limited number of mills located in a few countries only.
Recovered paper from refuse sorting stations is not suitable for use in the paper industry.