Analysing Quality Assurance Levels in Extended Producer Responsibility-Regulated Recycling Sectors

This article describes and analyses quality assurance systems (QASs) in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulated recycling industry. It is explained how the European Union sees EPR as an instrument to reduce waste and emissions. QASs could steer the recycling industry towards corporate sustainability and high-level value retention recycling, but it is unclear how current QASs function. This article fills this research gap. Policymakers and Producer Responsibility Organisations can use the results to improve QASs to increase sustainability and circularity in the EPR-regulated recycling industry. Research on this has been carried out through case studies that describe and analyse specific product groups. The QASs are assessed on their functioning in terms of how they work towards higher value retention options by increasing the level of cascading, and by assessing the implementation of corporate sustainability, including the incentive to improve business practices continuously. Besides, auditing processes are evaluated on whether they work towards recognised audit principles for good auditing. It is concluded that current QASs in the EPR-regulated recycling industry are not working towards higher value retention options and changes must be made to organise this. Four recommendations are given.