Post-Consumer Recycled Certification
February 24, 2025 2025-06-23 16:32Post-Consumer Recycled Certification
Post-Consumer Recycled Certification
(ISO 14021:2016 – Type II Environmental Product Declaration)
PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) refers to plastic materials that are collected, recycled, and reused after being discarded by consumers at the end of their lifecycle. By reducing landfill waste, conserving natural resources, and promoting a circular economy, PCR plays a vital role in creating a more sustainable future.

The Government of India has introduced amendments to drive sustainability:
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Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles
Starting January 1, 2025, at least 25% of the mass of each single-use plastic beverage bottle must come from recycled plastic. By January 1, 2030, this requirement increases to 30% and extends to all single-use plastic bottles.
Why is PCR and PWM Compliance Important?
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Regulatory Compliance
Ensures adherence to India’s strict plastic waste management regulations, avoiding penalties and legal challenges.
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Brand Reputation
Positions your organization as an eco-conscious leader, appealing to environmentally aware consumers and stakeholders.
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Sustainability Goals
Supports environmental responsibility by reducing reliance on virgin materials and minimizing ecological impact.
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Market Competitiveness
Aligns with global sustainability trends, enhancing opportunities for partnerships and market expansion.
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Resource Efficiency
Promotes efficient use of materials, reducing waste and conserving valuable natural resources for future generations.
Benefits of PCR Certification:

Our Certification Approach

What You Achieve with PCR Certification:
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Transparent Environmental Claims
Provides verified compliance with ISO 14021:2016 (Type II Environmental Declaration), enhancing credibility.
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Regulatory Assurance
Demonstrates conformance with India’s 2025 Plastic Waste Management (PWM) recycled content mandates.
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Market Recognition
Builds greater trust and acceptance in both domestic and global markets through validated sustainability practices.
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Sustainability Leadership
Positions your organization as a responsible and eco-conscious brand committed to advancing circular economy goals.
Why Choose IRClass?
IRClass – IRQS is a globally recognized certification body with over two decades of experience in sustainability auditing.
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Unparalleled Expertise
Deep knowledge of ISO 14021:2016 standards and India’s PWM Rules 2022.
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Globally Accredited Services
Certifications recognized worldwide, enhancing your market credibility
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Client-Centric Approach
Tailored solutions to meet your specific organizational needs.
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Proven Track Record
Trusted by leading organizations for accuracy, reliability, and efficiency.
Why Act Now?
With the January 2025 PWM and PCR mandates approaching, acting early ensures seamless compliance and avoids last-minute disruptions.
Post-Consumer Recycled Certification | Recycled Content Validation
Get certified for post-consumer recycled content. Ensure sustainability and compliance with expert recycled content certification and validation services.
Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Certification verifies that materials used in a product are sourced from consumer waste. Common certifications include UL 2809, SCS Recycled Content, and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS). These programs ensure traceability, compliance, and credibility in sustainable material claims.
Recycled content certification verifies the percentage of recycled material in a product. Leading standards include SCS Recycled Content, UL 2809, and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS). These certifications ensure accurate labeling, support sustainability claims, and enhance transparency in material sourcing.
Post-consumer recycled (PCR) material is waste generated by end-users that has been collected, processed, and reused in new products. Common PCR materials include plastic, paper, and metals. Using PCR reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and supports circular economy practices.
A recycling certificate verifies that materials have been properly collected, processed, and recycled according to recognized standards. It is issued by certified recyclers or third-party auditors and supports claims of environmental compliance, waste diversion, and sustainable material management.
PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) certification verifies that a product contains materials sourced from consumer-used waste. Leading certifications include UL 2809, SCS Recycled Content, and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS). These certifications ensure traceability, accurate recycled content claims, and compliance with sustainability standards.
ISO 14021 is an international standard that defines self-declared environmental claims, such as "recyclable" or "contains recycled content." It sets criteria for truthfulness, clarity, and verifiability of environmental labels made by manufacturers without third-party certification, ensuring transparent consumer communication.
What is a RCS certificate?
An RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) certificate verifies the presence and amount of recycled material in a product. Issued by accredited third-party bodies, it ensures traceability from source to final product and supports accurate environmental claims in supply chains and product labeling.
What is post-consumer recycled mean?
Post-consumer recycled (PCR) means material that has been used by consumers, discarded as waste, collected, and reprocessed into new products. It differs from pre-consumer recycled content, which comes from manufacturing scraps. PCR supports waste reduction and promotes a circular economy.
What is the difference between PCR and PIR?
The main difference between PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) and PIR (Post-Industrial Recycled) is their source. PCR comes from consumer-used products, while PIR comes from manufacturing waste. PCR supports circular economy goals by diverting consumer waste, whereas PIR reuses scrap generated before consumer use.
How to get a recycling certificate
To get a recycling certificate, partner with a certified recycling facility or third-party auditor. Provide documentation of waste collection, processing, and material recovery. The certifying body verifies compliance with recognized standards and issues a certificate confirming proper recycling practices.
Q:What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Certification and why is it important?
A:PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) Certification verifies that plastic materials have been collected, recycled, and reused after being discarded by consumers. It's vital for reducing landfill waste, conserving natural resources, and promoting a circular economy, especially in light of new Indian government mandates for recycled content in plastic products.
Q:Which specific Indian regulations does PCR Certification help my business comply with?
A:PCR Certification is crucial for adhering to India’s Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules 2022. These amendments mandate that by January 1, 2025, at least 25% of the mass of each single-use plastic beverage bottle must come from recycled plastic, increasing to 30% by January 1, 2030, and extending to all single-use plastic bottles.
Q:What are the main benefits of achieving PCR Certification for my organization?
A:Achieving PCR Certification offers multiple benefits, including ensuring adherence to India’s plastic waste management regulations (avoiding penalties), enhancing your brand reputation as an eco-conscious leader, supporting your environmental sustainability goals by reducing reliance on virgin materials, and aligning with global sustainability trends for market competitiveness.
Q:What is ISO 14021:2016 and how does it relate to PCR Certification?
A:ISO 14021:2016 is a Type II Environmental Product Declaration standard that specifies requirements for self-declared environmental claims, including recycled content. PCR Certification often involves verification against this standard, providing transparent and credible environmental claims for your products.
Q:How does PCR Certification enhance market recognition and trust?
A:By achieving PCR Certification, particularly with verification against standards like ISO 14021:2016, your organization demonstrates validated sustainability practices. This builds greater trust and acceptance in both domestic and global markets, positioning you as a responsible brand committed to circular economy goals.
Q:What makes IRClass (IRQS) a suitable choice for Post-Consumer Recycled Certification?
A:IRClass – IRQS is a globally recognized certification body with over two decades of experience in sustainability auditing. They offer unparalleled expertise in ISO 14021:2016 standards and India’s PWM Rules 2022, globally accredited services, a client-centric approach with tailored solutions, and a proven track record for accuracy, reliability, and efficiency.
Q:What is the deadline for complying with India's PCR recycled content mandates?
A:The initial deadline for compliance is January 1, 2025, by which single-use plastic beverage bottles must contain at least 25% recycled plastic. This requirement increases to 30% and extends to all single-use plastic bottles by January 1, 2030.
Post-Consumer Recycled Content Certification in India
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