Article 3

Plastic crates and plastic pallets containing an excessive amount of heavy metals, as referred to in Article 2, shall be manufactured or repaired in a controlled recycling process in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of this Article.

The material used for recycling shall originate only from other plastic crates or plastic pallets.

The introduction of other material shall be limited to the minimum technically necessary and, in any case, shall not exceed 20 % by weight.

The intentional introduction of heavy metals as an element during the recycling, as opposed to the incidental presence of heavy metals, shall not be allowed.

The use of recycled materials as feedstock for the repair of packaging materials, where some portion of the recycled materials can contain heavy metals, shall not be considered to be intentional introduction of heavy metals.

The sum of concentration levels of heavy metals in plastic crates and plastic pallets may exceed the applicable limit laid down in Article 11(1) of Directive 94/62/EC only as a result of the use of materials containing heavy metals in the recycling process.