What Is the OCS Europe Certification Scheme and Why It Matters for Your Business

Background

Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental threats of our time. Every year, up to 500,000 tonnes of plastic pellets,  the raw material used to make plastic products are lost to the environment globally. These tiny pellets may look harmless, but they cause outsized harm to ecosystems, wildlife, and even human health.

That’s where Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) Europe and its new certification scheme come in.

At CG Business Consulting, we’re helping businesses implement the OCS Certification Scheme not just to stay compliant, but to lead in environmental stewardship and responsible plastic handling.

The Problem: Microplastics in Our Backyard

Before we get into the certification, let’s look at the impact of pellet loss:

• 1 in 10 plastic items found on European beaches is actually a raw plastic pellet.

• According to the European Commission, up to 8.75 billion plastic pellets may enter the EU environment every year.

• Once lost, pellets are almost impossible to remove and can last for hundreds of years in soil and water.

• Marine species mistake pellets for food, leading to starvation, poisoning, and death and these plastics often make their way up the food chain.

• Plastic pollution now affects over 700 marine species and is found in human blood, lungs, and placentas, according to recent research.

This is not an abstract problem. It’s showing up on your local beach, in your local river, and potentially in your drinking water.

What Is Operation Clean Sweep®?

Operation Clean Sweep® is a global initiative by the plastics industry to eliminate pellet loss across the entire value chain. It’s not just about cleaner facilities it’s about accountability, prevention, and culture change.

The OCS framework includes:

• Practical guidelines for pellet handling and containment

• Employee training programmes

• Housekeeping and operational improvements

• Regular monitoring and documentation

OCS isn’t just a checklist, it’s a mindset shift.

Introducing the OCS Europe Certification Scheme

To add teeth to the OCS commitment, Plastics Europe and EuPC launched the OCS Europe Certification Scheme in 2023. It’s a third-party, audit-based system that verifies whether a company is truly walking the talk.

What the certification includes:

• Independent audits conducted by accredited bodies

• Structured tiers for different levels of implementation

• Standardised reporting across the EU plastics supply chain

• Certification valid for 3 years, with annual surveillance audits

It’s a tangible way to prove your environmental integrity — not just say it.

Why Certification Matters

More than ever, stakeholders expect real action from companies, not greenwashing. Certification helps you show that you're doing your part, with measurable proof.

Benefits of OCS Certification:

• 📈 Build trust with eco-conscious clients and regulators

• ⚠️ Reduce environmental risk and avoid costly cleanups or legal penalties

• ♻️ Meet ESG goals and sustainability benchmarks

• 🏆 Differentiate your brand in a crowded, compliance-driven market

Plus, as EU regulations tighten around microplastics and industrial emissions, OCS certification could soon become a requirement rather than a recommendation.

How CG Business Consulting Can Support You

At CGBC, we guide you every step of the way, from assessing your current practices to preparing for third-party audits.

Our services include:

• OCS readiness gap analysis

• Custom action plans and risk mitigation

• Policy and SOP development

• Team training on pellet management

• Ongoing compliance support

We speak both “business” and “regulation” so you get a partner who gets the full picture.

It's Time to Act

The plastic pellet problem won’t fix itself but your business can be part of the solution.

By pursuing OCS Europe Certification, you're not just cleaning up operations, you're showing the market that you lead with purpose.

💬 Contact us now to begin your OCS certification journey.