Happy New Year with FEAD’s news! ✨Change is a natural part of life in Brussels – and this season is no exception. As the Council of the EU moves from one Presidency to the next, FEAD is also embracing a moment of transition, combining continuity with fresh energy.Following three years of dedicated leadership by Claudia Mensi, Herwart Wilms has taken up the role of FEAD President as of January 2026.At the same time, FEAD is delighted to welcome ARSMD, the Romanian Association of Waste Management Companies, as its newest member, bringing our community to 21 national associations.
News from FEAD: Herwart Wilms has assumed the role of FEAD President as of January 2026, succeeding Claudia Mensi. Read FEAD’s press release here. We also warmly welcome Asociația Română de Salubritate și Pentru Managementul Deșeurilor, the Romanian Association of Waste Management Companies, as FEAD’s newest member, bringing our total to 21 national associations.
New circular economy package – ‘winter package’: On 23 December the European Commission published the Communication on Accelerating Europe’s transition to a circular economy: boosting the circularity of plastics. While the initiative comes at a critical moment for Europe’s plastic recycling sector, it fails to include provisions to boost demand and prioritize European-made recycled content. Read FEAD’s press release here.
End-of-Waste criteria for recycled plastics published: As announced in the Circular Economy “Winter” Package, the EoW criteria for recycled plastics have been published and a public consultation is ongoing until 26 January. You can find FEAD’s previous position here.
Measures for aluminum waste: On 19 December, the Commission has launched a consultation, open until 31 January, on possible measures affecting aluminium waste exports under the REsourcEU plan.
Cyprus EU Council presidency and priorities: With start of its EU Council presidency on 1 January 2026, the agenda of the next meetings has been published. Policy debate on the revision of the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) will be held in the Environmental Council on 25 June 2026 and the approval of the conclusions on Bioeconomy strategy will be discussed on 17 March 2026. An exchange of views on the omnibus simplification legislative packages will be held on 24 February 2026.
European Parliament workshop on MFF: On 28 January, the Budgetary Support Unit for the Parliament’s Committee on Budgets will held a 2 hours workshop focused on financing industrial policy and competitiveness in the post-2027 MFF, from 14h30 at the European Parliament, SPINELLI 1G3, Brussels.
US exits UN climate bodies: The United States has announced its withdrawal from 66 international organisations and agreements, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In a 7 January memorandum, President Donald Trump said the bodies were contrary to US interests. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the decision by the world’s largest economy ‘regrettable and unfortunate’, warning it deepens US disengagement from global climate and energy cooperation.
Raw Material Mechanism: The Commission has launched theRaw Materials Mechanism, a dedicated matchmaking platform developed by the European Commission under the EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform.
ETS state aid guidelines: on 23 December the European Commission adopted an amendment to the Guidelines on certain State aid measures in the context of the system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading post-2021 (‘ETS State aid Guidelines’).
ECHA finalising the PFAS restriction measures: On 17 December, ECHA’s RAC (risk assessment) and SEAC (socioeconomic impact) committees adopted provisional conclusions on sectors under review, including PFAS manufacturing. Next meetings in March 2026 will aim to adopt draft opinions, followed by a 60-day public consultation by SEAC.
Parliament requested study on PFAS: On 19 December, the European Parliament published a study on PFAS and their role in European industry. The study focuses on the widespread use of PFAS – notably fluoropolymers – in sectors such as clean technologies, renewables, semiconductors, aerospace and defence.
Call for increased ship recycling in the EU: On 15 December, recyclers, steel producers and NGOs – including Recycling Europe, Eurofer and Shipbreaking Platform – called for a strengthening of the 2013 Ship Recycling Regulation to boost the recovery of secondary raw materials, notably steel in a common position. On 19 December, Green MEPs asked the Commission through a parliamentary question whether it is planning to ensure that EU-owned ships are not exported and that their materials are retained within the EU. They also asked about addressing the practice of re-flagging ships shortly before demolition and the introduction of strong circularity incentives, such as a ship recycling licence.
Simplified EU Taxonomy reporting rules published: On 8 January, simplified Taxonomy reporting rules, have been published on the EU Official Journal, applicable from 1 January and covering 2025 activities.
Motion for a EU Parliament resolution with recommendations to the Commission on the 28th Regime: On 17 December, the European Parliament legal affairs Committee published a draft report with recommendations on the 28th Regime as a new legal framework for innovative companies.
EFRAG complementary materials supporting the draft simplified ESRS: On 23 December, following the release of the draft simplified European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), EFRAG released five complementary documents to support stakeholder’s understanding. You can find all documents here.
IMCO Committee invites SHEIN to its meeting on 27 January: Following repeated invitations in recent months that the company declined, IMCO Committee renewed its invitation to SHEIN to attend the next Committee meeting in January.
Ireland granted three-year extension on nitrates directive derogation: On 22 December, the EU extended Ireland’s 18-year derogation from the Nitrates Directive until the end of 2028.
Business Europe third batch of suggestions for a regulatory burden reduction: Business Europe has published a third batch of 44 suggestions for regulatory burden reduction in 9 policy areas as contribution to the Commission’s agenda on reducing regulatory burdens.
Parliamentary question on EPR schemes and EU law on competition and environment: On 16 December, Slovak MEPs (Renew) proposed a question to the Commission asking (1) an EPR model in which fees for a state-run PRO are set by government decree, while private PROs must comply with cost-appropriateness and transparency requirements, is compatible with EU waste legislation; and (2) how EU competition and State aid rules apply where state and private PROs operate under materially different regulatory and pricing conditions.
Former Hungarian attaché joins Cyprus presidency as climate expert: Tamara Szilvia Zannetis was appointed climate change attaché for the Cyprus EU Council presidency on 5 January.
