New Publication Builds on CosPaTox’s Work to Improve Testing of Recycled Plastics
A scientific paper was published in Separations on 23 October 2026 titled “First Comprehensive Interlaboratory Assessment of Chemical Release Analysis from Recycled High-Density Polyethylene Pellets”. Designed and conducted by members of the CosPaTox Consortium, the study provides further scientific evidence supporting the consortium’s approach to assessing recycled plastics for cosmetics and home care packaging.
Seven laboratories participated in the study, examining how consistently they could identify and estimate the quantities of substances released from recycled high-density polyethylene pellets. Following a common procedure based on the CosPaTox guideline, the laboratories tested extracts using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), a technique used to separate and identify chemical substances.
The findings support the suitability of this approach for routine screening as part of a safety assessment. Although the quantities reported varied between laboratories, the authors concluded that the method remains useful for assessing substances whose measured levels are sufficiently far from their relevant safety thresholds. Where results are close to those thresholds, more precise, targeted testing may be needed.
The study also identified opportunities to improve consistency. Differences in sample preparation, analytical equipment and the interpretation of results all contributed to variability between laboratories. Greater alignment of procedures, testing conditions and substance identification tools could help reduce these differences further.
These findings provide a useful reference for understanding the variability that companies can expect when comparing laboratory results. The research supports more consistent testing practices while recognizing that screening is one part of a broader safety assessment and that additional analytical data are generally required.
This publication continues the dissemination of CosPaTox’s scientific work and its contribution to the safe use of recycled plastics in packaging. We thank all participating laboratories, authors and consortium members for their expertise and collaboration.