RecyClass has announced the publication of a new testing protocol and the first sector-specific design for recycling guidelines for the automotive industry and the electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector. These documents cover, among others, vehicles, fridges and other temperature exchange equipment, as well as small appliances and ICT products. Their aim is to provide manufacturers with practical, science-based guidance on improving the recyclability of key plastic components in the context of upcoming European legislation.
New design for recycling guidelines
The published design for recycling guidelines build on the work initiated in 2025, when RecyClass introduced the first recyclability evaluation protocols for automotive and EEE applications. The new documents focus on the specific characteristics of individual product groups such as vehicles, refrigerators and other temperature exchange equipment, as well as small appliances and ICT products, where the share and complexity of plastic components are particularly high.
The guidelines are intended to give manufacturers clear, data-based indications on how to design plastic components so that they better fit into existing recycling streams. They cover, among other aspects, the selection of polymers, the design of multimaterial assemblies and the impact of specific design decisions on sorting efficiency and the quality of the resulting recyclate.
Importance of recyclability evaluation protocols
In 2025, RecyClass introduced the first recyclability evaluation protocols for automotive and EEE applications. They represented an important step towards understanding the behaviour of plastics commonly used in these sectors in existing recycling streams. Based on six testing campaigns carried out during this period, the robustness of the protocols was confirmed and key data were obtained for further improvement of product design.
These studies provided practical information on how different plastics and component configurations affect the recycling process. The results support efforts to adapt the design of plastic elements to the requirements of recovery and processing systems, particularly in complex sectors such as automotive and EEE.
New protocol for multi-plastic components
Building on the work carried out so far, RecyClass has published a new protocol covering multi-plastic components. This protocol analyses how different polymers and assembly methods affect sorting efficiency, material purity, the risk of cross-contamination and the final quality of the recyclate.
Within this approach, an assessment is made of whether individual polymers can be recovered at a quality level sufficient for reuse in products for the automotive and EEE sectors. As a result, the protocol provides manufacturers with clear guidance on how to design more circular products in which plastic components are more effectively returned to the material loop.
Harmonised scientific basis for complex sectors
The new guidelines and protocols create a consistent, harmonised scientific basis for assessing the recyclability of plastic components in sectors with high material complexity. This is particularly relevant for products that combine many types of polymers and other materials, where traditional approaches to recycling assessment are difficult to apply.
The developed solutions are being introduced at a time when companies across the automotive and EEE value chains are intensifying their efforts to comply with upcoming European legal requirements and to increase the share of recyclates in their products. Clear criteria and harmonised recyclability assessment tools facilitate planning of investments and design decisions and support the transition to circular economy models.
Growing industry engagement
The progress described in the new documents reflects the increasing engagement and cooperation of market participants. In its communication, RecyClass emphasises that the development of the guidelines and protocols is the result of the active involvement of companies from different parts of the value chain that are interested in practical, science-based solutions for plastics circularity.
The organisation continues to expand its community and invites additional stakeholders to cooperate on the development of tools that support recycling and the design of plastic products with closed material loops in mind. The participation of new actors is expected to enable further improvement of the guidelines and their better alignment with the needs of the automotive industry and the EEE sector.
