SIST EN 18120-10:2026

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2026
Embalaža - Načrtovanje za recikliranje plastične embalaže - 10. del: Postopek za
ocenjevanje zmožnosti recikliranja plastične embalaže - Protokoli za plastenke iz
polietilen tereftalata (PET-plastenke)
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 10: Recyclability evaluation
process for plastic packaging - Protocols for PET bottles
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil
10: Verfahren zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von Kunststoffverpackungen -
Protokolle für Flaschen aus PET
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 10
: Processus d’évaluation de la recyclabilité des emballages plastiques - Protocoles pour
les bouteilles en PET
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 18120-10:2026
ICS:
13.030.50 Recikliranje Recycling
55.020 Pakiranje in distribucija blaga Packaging and distribution of
na splošno goods in general
83.080.20 Plastomeri Thermoplastic materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 18120-10
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.030.50; 55.020
English Version
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part
10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging -
Protocols for PET bottles
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von
vue de leur recyclage - Partie 10 : Processus Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 10: Verfahren
d'évaluation de la recyclabilité des emballages zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von
plastiques - Protocoles pour les bouteilles en PET Kunststoffverpackungen - Protokolle für Flaschen aus
PET
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 9 February 2026.

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
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 18120-10:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword .3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .6
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Recyclability evaluation process .7
4.1 Principle .7
4.1.1 General .7
4.1.2 Targeted uses and retained recycling technology .8
4.1.3 List of applicable unit operations for PET bottles recycling and corresponding test
procedures .9
4.2 Testing procedures for pretreatment – Flakes preparation . 11
4.2.1 Pretreatment grinding . 11
4.2.2 Pretreatment description for prewashing, washing and rinsing . 11
4.2.3 Procedure for pre-washing . 11
4.2.4 Procedure for washing . 12
4.2.5 Procedure for hot rinsing . 12
4.2.6 Floatation . 12
4.2.7 Drying . 13
4.2.8 Air elutriation . 14
4.2.9 Assessments report, standard testing procedure and recommended benchmark values 14
4.3 Testing procedures for treatment – Pellet extrusion . 15
4.3.1 Flakes blending for subsequent extrusion . 15
4.3.2 Extrusion – Pellet production . 16
4.3.3 Crystallization . 17
4.3.4 Solid state polymerization (SSP) . 17
4.3.5 Assessments report, standard testing procedure and recommended benchmark values 18
4.4 Testing procedures for conversion in articles . 19
4.4.1 Pellet blends preparation . 19
4.4.2 Route 1 – Plaque injection moulding . 20
4.4.3 Route 2, step A – Preform injection . 20
4.4.4 Route 2, step B – Bottle blowing . 20
4.4.5 Assessments report, standard testing procedure and recommended benchmark values 22
Bibliography . 24

European foreword
This document (EN 18120-10:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261
“Packaging”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
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 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2026.
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 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.
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
The EN 18120 series, under the general title Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging, which
aims via a series of guidelines and protocols to establish consistency and improvement for the design for
recycling of household, industrial and commercial plastic packaging, consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
— Part 3: Evaluation processes for the sortability of plastic packaging
— Part 4: Guideline for PET bottles
— Part 5: Guideline for PET rigid packaging (except bottles)
— Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP rigid packaging
— Part 7: Guideline for PE and PP flexible packaging
— Part 8: Guideline for PS and XPS rigid packaging
— Part 9: Guideline for EPS packaging
— Part 10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET bottles
— Part 11: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET rigid packaging
(except bottles)
— Part 12: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP rigid
packaging
— Part 13: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP flexible
packaging
— Part 14: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PS and XPS rigid
packaging
— Part 15: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for EPS packaging
Design for recycling guidelines are a common way of evaluating the compatibility with plastic-packaging
collection, sorting and recycling which enables the use of secondary raw materials that are of sufficient
quality when compared to the original material, in state-of-the-art facilities.
They provide guidance on the level of compatibility, defined as:
— green: packaging constituents and components with full compatibility with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling;
— yellow: packaging constituents and components with limited compatibility with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling;
— red: packaging constituents and components which are not compatible with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling.
The design for recycling guidelines provided in the EN 18120 series cover the design for recycling based
on the knowledge available at the time of the development of this document and are representative of
the state-of-the-art. They consider packaging waste collection, sorting and recycling, so that the recycled
plastic can substitute primary raw materials in packaging application or other applications. Compliance
with the design guidelines in the EN 18120 series does not guarantee that the recycled plastic quality will
be fit for purpose for a specific targeted end application or compliant with applicable regulations.
Packaging recyclability is the combination of design of recycling, proven collection, sorting and recycling
in practice.
1 Scope
This document provides requirements for the evaluation process for bottles predominantly made of PET
with respect to compatibility of the design with recycling processes.
Packaging components and ancillary elements made of other materials than PET are also covered by this
document as they need to be evaluated for compatibility with the recycling processes.
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.
EN 15344:2025, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterization of polyethylene (PE) recyclates
EN 18120-1:2026, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 1: Definitions and
principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
EN 18120-4, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 4: Guideline for PET bottles
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 1628-5, Plastics — Determination of the viscosity of polymers in dilute solution using capillary
viscometers — Part 5: Thermoplastic polyester (TP) homopolymers and copolymers (ISO 1628-5)
EN ISO 11357-3, Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) — Part 3: Determination of
temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization (ISO 11357-3)
ASTM D1895, Standard Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic Materials
ASTM F2013, Standard Test Method for Determination of Residual Acetaldehyde in Polyethylene
Terephthalate Bottle Polymer Using an Automated Static Head-Space Sampling Device and a Capillary GC
with a Flame Ionization Detector
ISBT PTC-00002, Voluntary Test Method for PET Bottles
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 18120-1 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/

Published by the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT). Available at
https://www.isbt.com/resource/voluntary-test-methods-for-pet-bottles
4 Recyclability evaluation process
4.1 Principle
4.1.1 General
This document provides a method for evaluating the technical recyclability of a PET Bottle sample in
state-of-the-art mechanical recycling processes as they are implemented in Europe. The results
characterize both the processability of the sample as well as the quality of the recycled plastic.
Depending on the choice of the sample, the method can either provide a technical recyclability
determination for a given packaging design or item, or it can be employed to selectively study the impact
of individual design elements of a PET Bottle on technical recyclability.
The latter approach may be employed to generate data for the updating of design-for-recycling
guidelines.
The test method follows the steps (unit operations) that occur in a mechanical recycling process for
PET bottles and seeks to simulate each operation on a laboratory scale.
The relevant unit operations are shown in Table 2. Steps 1 to 4 describe the plastic recycling process itself
whereas step 5 represent the conversion of the recycled PET into articles, either preforms, bottles or
plaques. As such, steps 1 to 3 provide information on the processability of the sample whereas steps 4
and 5 provide information on the quality of the recycled plastic that can be obtained.
To perform the recyclability evaluation process, the elements listed below shall be considered:
— Design for recyclability evaluation process guidelines on PET bottles described by EN 18120-4;
— targeted intended use(s) for the final recyclate, this is required to ensure the testing will be made in
relation to dedicated specifications, as described in EN 18120-1.
And in this document:
— the list of unit operations for the whole process until the recyclate is used (grinding, washing,
extrusion, … for example);
— the specifications of unit operations process capability to be used for the evaluation based on state-
of-the-art for PET bottle recycling processes in Europe (grinding size for example);
— the relevant process condition settings for testing for all relevant unit operations (temperature for
washing for example);
— the list of mandatory sampling and tests to be performed on the samples for each unit operation. (IV
measurement as per EN ISO 1628-5 for example);
— the reference benchmark recommendation values for assessing the results of the tests performed
(Colour deviation Delta E below 1 for example) and help building the final assessment. Tables 3 to 5
can be used as a form to aggregate the results in the ‘Results’ column (left empty for that purpose).
The goal of the evaluation process is to identify all foreseeable critical points and establish a testing
strategy that either confirms or excludes a negative impact for each critical point considered. The testing
strategy may use all or only some of the tests described in 4.2 depending on the innovation type and
expected impacts on the recycling process and the recyclate. The sample size to be tested is also part of
the testing strategy definition. The reasoning for the testing strategy deployed shall be described.
To support the testing strategy definition, pre-assessment tests can be performed.
Examples of Pre-assessment test can be found in the bibliography section.
These pre-assessments are only indicative and shall not be considered as conclusive regarding the
recyclability.
Nevertheless, it is possible to use these pre-assessment tests as part of the testing strategy.
The final reporting shall include all elements related to:
— innovation description;
— intended use of the innovation and assumed market penetration;
— testing strategy reasoning and description;
— the technical description of the control material;
— relevant elements from sections 4.2.9, 4.3.5 and 4.4.5;
— any deviations from the benchmark recommended values and the reasons for these deviations
— all relevant elements used to support the assessment;
— final conclusion and result of the assessment.
4.1.2 Targeted uses and retained recycling technology
The targeted uses of the recyclate to be produced and assumed recycling technology to produce the
recyclate are described in EN 18120-1:2026 Table 1.
4.1.3 List of applicable unit operations for PET bottles recycling and corresponding test procedures
For PET bottles the following unit operations are applicable to the whole process until the recyclate is used to form articles.
The ‘reference test procedures’ column of Table 1 refers to the subclauses of this document.
Table 1 — Recycling trial unit operations
Step # Unit operation High level process description representing the industrial steps Reference test procedures
1 Control selection Before any testing is undertaken, control material to compare the
evaluated packaging needs to be selected. The control material shall be
virgin PET, without recycled material. Unprocessed virgin resin as well
as bottles made out of the virgin resin without the innovation (control
material) and with the innovation (test material) shall be supplied.
2 Pretreatment: flakes This step simulates the preparation of PET bottle flakes by grinding,
preparation washing and sink/float separation
2.1 Pretreatment: grinding Control and evaluated application PET bottles are separately ground in 4.2.1 Pre-treatment grinding
order to fit the throat of a laboratory extruder.
2.2 Pretreatment – Pre-washing Simulation of the prewashing step, in hot water with caustic and with 4.2.3 Pre-treatment –
mechanical agitation. Prewashing
2.3 Pretreatment - Washing Simulation of the washing step, in hot water and caustic with detergent 4.2.4 Pre-treatement –
and mechanical agitation Washing
2.4 Pretreatment - Hot rinsing Simulation of the rinsing step, in hot conditions, without additives and 4.2.5 Pre-treatement - Hot
with mechanical agitation rinsing
2.5 Pretreatment - Cold rinsing Simulation of cold rinsing and flotation process allowing PET flake 4.2.6 Pre-treatment – Cold
and floatation separation from polyolefins (caps and labels) by density in water without rinsing and floatation
additives.
2.6 Pretreatment - Drying Reduce the flake moisture with hot air. 4.2.7 Pre-treatment – Drying
2.7 Pretreatment: air elutriation Control and evaluated application; PET flakes are separately elutriated 4.2.8 Pre-treatment – Air
with air to remove light fraction. elutriation
Step # Unit operation High level process description representing the industrial steps Reference test procedures
3 Treatment: Pellets This step simulates the production of PET pellets via extrusion and
preparation polycondensation by solid state process
3.1 Extrusion – flake blends Once the materials from the control and evaluated application have 4.3.1 Treatment - Flakes
preparation and separately gone through all pre-treatment steps (2.1–2.5) blending with blending for subsequent
composition the control material shall be prepared as per agreed test program, either extrusion.
at 25 % or 50 %.
3.2 Extrusion – pellet Flakes are dried to reduce moisture as carried out in an industrial line. 4.3.2 Treatment – Pellet
production They are then extruded and filtered and pelletized into cylindrical production
pellets.
4 Crystallization and SSP These operations shall be performed to assess IV increase rate and 4.3.3 Treatment – Solid state
overall final quality of the recyclate. If the defined testing strategy polymerization
includes it these pellets shall be converted in articles as per Step 5.
4.3.4 Treatment –
Crystallization
5 Conversion in articles This step simulates the conversion of the above pellets in articles
(plaques or preforms and bottles)
5.1 Conversion – Plaques Route 1: Once PET pellets have been produced and tested, standardized 4.4.2 Conversion – Plaque
plaques are made out of pre-treated control material and a mix of pre-

treated control material and test material.
5.2 Conversion – preform Route 2: Once PET pellets have been produced and tested, different 4.4.3 Conversion – Preforms
injection and bottles blow blends of control pellets and samples are prepared and converted into
4.4.4 Conversion – Bottles
moulding preforms and bottles for performance and quality assessment.
NOTE 1 This document does not describe sorting steps that occur at material recovery facilities (MRF) or plastics recovery facilities (PRF). For the evaluation of
such sorting operations, see EN 18120-3.
NOTE 2 Although not currently listed as unit operation in Table 1, PET bottle reprocessor (in particular transparent PET bottles) can use delabellers prior to the
grinding stage.
4.2 Testing procedures for pretreatment – Flakes preparation
4.2.1 Pretreatment grinding
Control and test material are separately ground to fit the throat of a laboratory extruder.
Procedure:
— report the mass of each sample before grinding as m in Table 2;
— grind separately control and test materials sample to flakes using a 12 mm screen;
— report if high quantities of fines (<1 mm) are obtained;
— store in separate containers;
— take photos of each fraction;
— keep about 20 g of control and test materials flakes for Intrinsic Viscosity and colour
measurement. Remove this mass from m to have a fair comparison of m to m ;
0 1 0
— report the mass of each sample after grinding as m ;
— during grinding, ensure that no overheating happens on the material (for example due to dull
knives).
4.2.2 Pretreatment description for prewashing, washing and rinsing
Control and test materials are washed to test the impact on hot washing operations. Washing of
PET bottles is commonly performed in a multiple step process using caustic soda and detergents.
The following procedures shall be utilized for both control and test materials separately.
The tank to be used should respect the following conditions:
— sized to allow water and PET flake to be mixed at a 4:1 ratio by weight;
— allow a recommended ratio of the water height-to-the tank width of 0,8 to 1,0 and not less than
0,6 or greater than 1,5;
— fitted with a mixer with a variable speed impellor blade with a length of at least 0,33 of the
mixing tank diameter or width;
— incorporating at least three baffles when a round tank is used (baffles are not necessary in the
case of square tanks.
4.2.3 Procedure for pre-washing
Prepare the pre-washing stainless steel tank for a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4l solution) at 85 °C with
a solution of 1 wt% NaOH and detergent. The detergent shall be chosen among the ones commonly
used by PET recycling industry and dosage shall be justified and in line with industry practices.
Wash each sample separately at a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4l solution) at 240 rpm for 5 minutes.
Collect and separate flakes from the pre-washing solution over a vibrating table and through a
centrifuge, funnel, or sieves.
Take photos of the pre-washed solution and flakes after pre-washing.
4.2.4 Procedure for washing
Prepare the washing stainless steel tank for a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4l solution) at 85 °C with a
solution of 1 wt% NaOH and detergent. The detergent shall be chosen among the ones commonly
used by PET recycling industry and dosage shall be justified and in line with industry practices.
Wash each sample separately at a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4l solution) at 240 rpm or 500 rpm if
prewash operation is not part of the testing strategy for 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
Collect and separate flakes from the washing solution over a vibrating table and through a
centrifuge.
Take photos of the washed solution and flakes after washing.
4.2.5 Procedure for hot rinsing
Prepare the hot rinsing stainless steel tank for a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4l solution) at 85 °C with
tap water.
Wash each sample separately at a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes v
...