Progress on the PFAS restriction process, renewed pressure to simplify EU legislation affecting waste rules, and calls for exemptions from PPWR reuse targets. Read on for EU updates on waste management, the circular economy and the policy shifts behind them!
PFAS restriction assessment advances towards Commission proposal: On 11 March, ECHA’s Socio-Economic Analysis Committee finalised its draft opinion, assessing the environmental and health benefits of the universal PFAS restriction alongside its costs and socio-economic impacts, including the availability of alternatives to PFAS.
Commission publishes consultation results on CO₂ transport infrastructure framework: On 11 March, the European Commission published the summary report of the public consultation on a legislative initiative for CO₂ transportation infrastructure and markets, based on input from 206 stakeholders, mainly businesses and business associations.
Circular Plastics Alliance relaunches with new working groups: The European Commission relaunched the Circular Plastics Alliance with three working groups with tasks to analyse challenges facing the EU plastics sector, identify priorities for trade investigations, and strengthen market surveillance. The relaunch, announced as part of the EU circularity package adopted in December, will be coordinated by a steering committee, of which FEAD is a member, with the Commission providing the secretariat.
Commission launches consultation on Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act: On 11 March, the European Commission launched an ex-post public consultation on the adopted Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, which aims to support energy-intensive industries in decarbonising while maintaining international competitiveness.
Parliament appoints rapporteur for Industrial Accelerator Act: The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee has appointed Christophe Grudler (Renew, France) as rapporteur for the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act.
Commission opens consultation on environment simplification omnibus: The Commission has opened a public consultation on the environment simplification omnibus, which was already published in December 2025.
March infringement package: The Commission has published the March infringement package, including a letter of formal notice to to Lithuania to correctly transpose the Waste Framework Directive (INFR(2026)2004) and a reasoned opinion to Italy to comply with the Single-Use Plastics Directive and the EU procedural rules on transparency in the internal market (INFR(2024)2053).
Environment Council to discuss climate, transport, bioeconomy and diplomacy: On 17 March, EU environment ministers will meet to discuss several key files, including the proposed amendment to CO₂ emission standards for cars and vans, the upcoming post-2030 climate package, the EU bioeconomy strategy and global environmental diplomacy.
Finland calls for simplification of EU legislation including waste rules: On 5 March, the Finnish government sent the European Commission a list of proposals to simplify more than 40 pieces of EU legislation, including some proposals on waste legislation.
Parliament ENVI committee publishes draft opinion on post-2027 EU budget: On 5 March, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety published an draft opinion for the Committee on Budgets on the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034.
Commission updates framework for ‘safe and sustainable by design’ chemicals: On 10 March, the European Commission published in the Official Journal an updated recommendation on ‘safe and sustainable by design’ chemicals, revising the framework first introduced in 2022.
NGOs warn EU may overstate environmental spending in next long-term budget: On 12 March, several environmental organisations, including CEE Bankwatch Network, ClientEarth, CAN, EEB and WWF, published a report criticising the methodology set out in Annex I of the proposed regulation on evaluating the performance of spending in the future 2028–2034 EU budget.
European Parliament study reviews progress of von der Leyen II agenda: On 5 March, the European Parliament Research Service published a study assessing progress on the policy priorities of the von der Leyen II Commission.
EU leaders and ministers step up coordination on competitiveness, energy prices and green industry: On 9 March, the environment ministers of Germany, France and Poland announced the revival of the ‘Green Weimar Triangle’ and adopted a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation on climate, industrial policy and the green transition. On 10 March, according to a German government statement, 21 EU heads of state or government joined a virtual meeting initiated by Italy, Germany and Belgium, with discussions focusing on competitiveness, simplification, single market integration and energy prices.
G7 on the unfolding energy markets crisis: On 9 March, the G7 Finance Ministers held a virtual meeting on the global economic situation and the conflict in the Middle East, including the impact of the unfolding crisis on energy markets. An IEA statement and Commission statement indicate that discussions are continuing on emergency stocks and disruption to tanker traffic following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The European Commission has also asked FEAD how the current crisis is affecting recycling operators.
