The circular plastic standard is national legislation to meet circular policy goals and the climate goals that are legally established. This constitutes an imperative reason of overriding public interest: the protection of the environment. On average, 2.5 kg of CO2 emissions per kg of plastic produced can be reduced by replacing polymers made from virgin fossil raw materials with polymers made from recyclate or bio-raw materials. Less CO2 is emitted during the extraction of raw materials and production. Less plastic is also incinerated.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, is working on a legislative proposal for a circular plastic standard. The aim of the bill is to oblige all processors of polymers established in the Netherlands, from 1 January 2027, to replace a minimum percentage of fossil polymers with recycled or bio-based polymers. Although the law has a broad basis, namely polymers regardless of which products they are used in, the obligation will initially be imposed on polymers that are used in plastic parts and end products. The aim of the circular plastic standard is twofold, namely: promoting circularity, and reducing CO2 emissions to contribute to the national climate goals set out in the Climate Act.