A supplier should be asked for evidence tied to the exact material and order, including any estimate or certification supporting a recovered-content claim. The US EPA says such claims can be supported by estimates and certifications and that they should be reasonably verified where appropriate. This documentation does not, by itself, prove geographic origin or a complete chain of custody.
What to Ask the Supplier
For a recovered-content claim, a practical request should identify:
| Evidence | What to request |
|---|---|
| Material and order | The exact product or material name, specifications, and relevant order or batch reference |
| Claim | The precise wording and scope of the recovered-content claim |
| Estimate | The estimated recovered-material content, its calculation basis, and any supporting records |
| Certification | Any certification relied upon, including its issuer, scope, and the material or product it covers |
| Verification | Records or information needed to check the estimate and certification |
These are practical request fields, not an EPA-mandated checklist. They help connect the supplier’s answer to the material being purchased rather than to a general description such as “recycled.”
How to Check the Evidence
The first check is scope. The product, material, order, and claim described in the evidence should match the purchase. Any difference in grade, specification, application, or certification coverage needs clarification before the evidence is relied upon.
For an estimate, the supplier should be able to explain its basis and provide relevant calculations or records. If a certification is offered, its issuer and coverage should be checked against the material identified in the order. Where appropriate, the supplier can also be asked how the estimate and certification can be independently verified.
The cited EPA point does not prescribe one verification method. A reasonable review therefore depends on the material, the claim, the available records, and the applicable buyer or regulatory requirements.
What the Reader Must Still Confirm
The available source does not establish a universal supplier-tracing process. It does not identify:
- A required chain-of-custody document set
- An approved certification scheme or accepted certifier
- A testing or sampling method
- A minimum recovered-content threshold
- Any universal fee, deadline, or sufficiency standard
- Jurisdiction-specific legal or procurement requirements
A reader must therefore check the purchase contract, buyer specifications, and any applicable rules before deciding whether the evidence is sufficient. If the question concerns geographic origin rather than recovered content, separate origin evidence is required; an estimate or certification of recovered-material content does not establish that origin on its own.