Greetings from Brussels, where FEAD members gathered last week and the circular economy agenda showed little sign of slowing down for summer. On the table: End-of-Life Vehicles, wastewater EPR, packaging labels and support for recycled materials.
FEAD welcomes Parliament’s backing of new End-of-Life Vehicles rules: On 18 June, the European Parliament voted in Strasbourg on the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, supported by almost 80% of voting Members. FEAD welcomes the outcome as an important step forward for circularity in the automotive sector and for Europe’s recycling industry.
Recyclers urge demand-side measures in Circular Economy Act: On 18 June, FEAD, Plastics Recyclers Europe, Recycling Europe and VinylPlus sent a joint letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for demand for recycled materials to be placed at the heart of the upcoming Circular Economy Act.
Shipments of waste text adopted: On 18 June, the European Parliament adopted its legislative resolution supporting the Commission proposal amending the Waste Shipments Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 in order to continue allowing exports of mixed municipal waste for recovery in Switzerland.
Parliament calls for pause on wastewater EPR: On 18 June, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to reassess the future wastewater extended producer responsibility scheme by the end of 2026 and to suspend its implementation, following amendments tabled by the EPP and ECR and by other groups in the compromise text. The resolution passed by 294 votes in favour, 245 against and 28 abstentions. The vote was criticised by the S&D group and by water operators including EurEau.
Council advances Competitiveness Fund compromise: On 14 June, Coreper II validated a final compromise on the European Competitiveness Fund, accompanied by national statements from Austria and the Baltic states and Poland.
Commission dialogue gathers PFAS stakeholders: On 15 June the Commission held a high-level dialogue on PFAS pollution. The meeting brought together companies, industry federations, waste managers including FEAD and Hazardous Waste Europe, water managers, NGOs, universities and local authorities.
College debate highlights recycling demand and EPR: In minutes published in early June, the Commission’s 6 May policy debate on the Circular Economy Regulation highlighted the need to improve recycling transparency for consumers and consolidate EPR schemes.
Bio-based content debate widens: On 10 and 11 June, NGOs challenged a Commission-backed study on bio-based feedstock in plastic packaging, which is intended to support future Commission criteria and targets for bioplastics, while Cefic published proposals for bio-based and bio-attributed content targets in several pieces of legislation.
Industry calls for pragmatic harmonised packaging labels: On 12 June, fifteen industry federations called on the Commission and Member States to adopt a pragmatic approach to harmonised packaging labels under the Packaging Regulation.
Environment Council to discuss water, REACH and climate resilience: The Council will hold an Environment Council meeting on 25 June, with agenda highlights including CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, nature, business and competitiveness, the Water Resilience Strategy and the REACH Regulation.
NGOs challenge carbon removal methodologies: On 15 June, nine environmental organisations requested an internal review of Commission methodologies under the EU carbon removal certification framework.
Single Market Strategy progress reviewed: On 2 June, Parliament’s Internal Market Committee discussed progress on the EU Single Market Strategy with Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, one year after its launch.
Europen study links eco-modulation to packaging recycling performance: On 18 June, Europen published a study carried out by Circpack finding that modulation of eco-contributions is the strongest factor associated with packaging recycling performance.
Parliament briefing looks ahead to European Product Act: On 17 June, the European Parliament Research Service published a pre-Commission initiative briefing on the European Product Act.
EPP’s Andrea Wechsler joins ENVI committee: German centre-right MEP Andrea Wechsler became a full member of Parliament’s ENVI committee on 15 June, after serving as a substitute since the start of the mandate.
