As spring weather shifts in Brussels, last week brought progress on waste shipments, circular plastics and packaging. Momentum is also building as EU policymakers accelerate work on competitiveness and simplification.
Industry calls for transition period on waste shipment rules: On 24 March, FEAD and other industry associations in a joint letter urged the Commission to introduce a one-year adaptation phase for the implementation of new EU waste shipment rules set out in the Waste Shipment Regulation.
Industry pushes for recognition of EU recycled plastics: This week, FEAD joined an industry push supporting a petition launched by Circular Plastics Made in Europe, which has gathered nearly 500 signatories advocating for EU-origin recycled plastics to count towards recycled content targets. .
Circular Plastics Alliance relaunch advances work programme: On 13 March, the Circular Plastics Alliance, of which FEAD is a member of the steering committee, held its relaunch meeting and is preparing initial outputs for May. The initiative will introduce quarterly monitoring of the plastics market and assess vulnerabilities and also aims to propose measures to stimulate demand for recycled plastics.
European Council conclusions: On 20 March, the European Council in its conclusions and following remarks by its President António Costa validated an action plan setting deadlines to adopt key competitiveness and ‘simplification’ files by the end of 2026. Moreover, the Council conclusions highlight the importance of establishing a targeted and proportionate ‘European preference’ in strategic sectors and technologies and call on the co-legislators to agree by the end of 2026 on the Industrial Accelerator Act.
ECHA advances PFAS restriction with draft opinions and targeted derogations: On 26 March, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published draft opinions from its scientific committees, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC), supporting a proposed EU-wide restriction on PFAS under REACH.
Task force develops PFAS testing protocol for food packaging: On 16 January, the European Commission in a comitology register document launched a task force to develop a harmonised testing protocol for PFAS in food contact packaging under the Packaging Regulation.
Waste-to-energy potential inclusion in EU carbon market: At a panel discussion on 26 March organised by CEWEP and ESWET, Commission officials indicated that, if included, municipal waste incinerators would be integrated into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) no earlier than 2030, later than the previously discussed 2028 timeline.
Parliament approves EU-US trade agreement with safeguards: On 26 March, the European Parliament adopted amendments to a proposal on the non-application of customs duties on imports of certain goods, as part of implementing the tariff components of the EU-US Turnberry trade agreement.
Deal reached on Union Customs Code reform: On 26 March, the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on a major reform of the EU Customs Code to address challenges related to e-commerce, product safety and customs efficiency.
Public procurement rules under review amid competitiveness concerns: On 23 March, the European Parliament in a briefing assessed the implementation of EU public procurement legislation ahead of a planned review.
PPWR Implementation: Ongoing complexities surrounding the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) were highlighted during the European Commission’s Expert Group on Waste meeting on 18 March, notably on issues such as packaging labelling, PFAS restrictions in food contact materials, and rules on mirror clause and recycled content in plastic packaging. In parallel, the European Council highlighted in a meeting on 19 March the need to reduce fragmentation in packaging requirements, especially regarding labelling.
Implementation debate on Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive: On 23 March, the European Parliament in an analysis ahead of plenary discussions highlighted key issues in implementing the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
Parliament assesses environmental impact of next EU budget: On 19 March, the European Parliament in a study evaluated the Commission’s proposal for the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework.
Textile recycling scale-up requires major investment: On 23 March, a study published by the ReHubs alliance, which brings together organisations working in textile recycling and the Boston Consulting Group, estimates that EU textile recycling must reach 2.7 million tonnes annually by 2035 to become economically viable.
Wind turbine recyclability requirements introduced: On 23 March, the Commission in an implementing act set a 70% recyclability target for wind turbine blades in public procurement under the Net-Zero Industry Act.
MEPs question continued imports of Russian aluminium: On 13 March, several MEPs submitted a parliamentary question to the Commission regarding ongoing imports of Russian aluminium and other commodities.
