EU policymakers are setting the stage for a busy summer on circular economy files. This week, packaging implementation, EPR simplification, PFAS restrictions and competitiveness funding are all in the Brussels spotlight.
Ensuring the timely and effective implementation of the PPWR: On 3 June, FEAD and more than 120 industry associations and businesses sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Council President António Costa, reiterating the strategic importance of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and opposing calls to revise or partially postpone it.
FEAD’s position on the Industrial Accelerator Act: On 29 May, FEAD published its position on the Industrial Accelerator Act, welcoming the proposal’s ambition to strengthen European manufacturing while calling for recycled materials to be recognised as strategic inputs for Europe’s industry.
Environment omnibus rapporteur seeks to narrow EPR authorised representative suspension: On 28 May, a Parliament rapporteur Ingeborg Ter Laak’s draft report proposed limiting the Commission’s suspension of authorised representative obligations for batteries, waste batteries, packaging and packaging waste to micro and small enterprises operating cross-border within the EU. A second draft report applies the same approach to producers of textile, textile-related or footwear products, electrical and electronic equipment and single-use plastic products. In a draft opinion, IMCO rapporteur Klára Dostálová calls for rejecting the Commission proposal.
Industrial Accelerator Act policy debate: A 28 May policy debate showed broad ministerial support for the proposal, alongside concerns over fragmentation, decarbonisation rules, procurement, permitting and administrative burden. A parliament research briefing noted gaps in the impact assessment, especially on social, environmental and SME effects.
Commission opens infringement procedures on green transition and worker-protection directives: On 4 June, the Commission announced infringement procedures against Member States that have not fully notified transposition measures for EU directives, including the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition and Directive 2024/869 on lead and diisocyanates exposure.
PFAS restriction consultation receives more than 3,500 responses: On 3 June, the European Chemicals Agency said it had received 3,511 comments in its consultation on the draft PFAS restriction and the socio-economic assessment of the proposed measures, which closed on 25 May.
Study warns of contaminants in plastic packaging recovered from residual waste: On 3 June, the journal Nature published a study finding that plastic packaging recovered from residual waste for recycling (post-sorting) can contain contaminants hazardous to health.
Parliament research service publishes post-2027 MFF background digest: On 4 June, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published its June digest of background information on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, which will start in 2028.
ENVI and TRAN committees discuss Clean Corporate Vehicles draft report: On 3 June, the Parliament’s ENVI and TRAN committees discussed the draft report on the Commission proposal on Clean Corporate Vehicles, part of the Automotive Package.
MEPs push to preserve LIFE activities in the Competitiveness Fund: On 2 June, MEPs from S&D, Renew, the Greens, The Left and ECR tabled amendments to the Competitiveness Fund to restore or preserve an autonomous LIFE programme, including through amendments to the chapter on energy and decarbonisation.
CCUS industry asks for clearer EU-UK carbon market linkage plans: On 3 June, more than 50 CCUS industry players sent a letter warning that insufficient regulatory certainty is slowing EU-UK cross-border carbon capture, utilisation and storage projects.
