How important is regulatory stability for Europe’s circular economy? This week shows it clearly: very. As the Commission rolled out major files, pressure to revisit cornerstone laws in waste and packaging policy grew, with further plastics recyclers shutting facilities amid worsening market conditions.
European Court of Auditors flags major waste-management and recycling gaps: On 26 November, the European Court of Auditors published a report showing that Member States remain far from meeting EU waste prevention and recycling targets, with waste generation still rising alongside GDP.
Ombudsman criticises Commission’s simplification method: On 27 November, the European Ombudsman published a recommendation identifying ‘procedural shortcomings’ and maladministration in three recent Commission simplification initiatives, including missing impact assessments and weak justification for urgency.
PPWR facing calls for changes while stakeholders warn against reopening: On 25 November, a large coalition of NGOs, recyclers and waste managers issued a joint letter warning that reopening the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), even for minor changes, would create ‘crippling uncertainty’ and undermine investor confidence. This follows several requests to adjust the PPWR through the 3 December omnibus.
Implementing rules for EU carbon removals adopted: On 20 November, the Commission adopted the implementing rules under Regulation (EU) 2024/3012, creating the EU’s framework for verifying permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products.
Implementing act for battery reporting published: On 25 November, the implementing act was published in the Official Journal, defining how Member States must report data on batteries placed on the market, collected, recycled and reused.
Bioeconomy Strategy adopted: On 27 November, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall presented the new Bioeconomy Strategy to develop emerging bio-based markets including biopolymers, bioplastics, textiles and natural fibres, bio-based chemicals and biopesticides. In June, FEAD contributed to the consultation, by highlighting issues that still need to be tackled.
IPSF publishes 2025 annual report: On 14 November, the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF) published its 2025 annual report outlining recent sustainable finance developments, investment flows and policy priorities to mobilise capital for the green transition.
Sectors defend EPR system in the Wastewater Directive: On 20 November, Copa-Cogeca, IFOAM and EurEau sent a joint letter to the President of the European Commission urging the EU to maintain the agreed EPR scheme in the Wastewater Directive.
NGOs and the water sector warn against reopening EU water legislation: On 24 November, NGOs in the Living Rivers Association published a document opposing attempts to reopen the Water Framework Directive via the environmental omnibus. On 27 November, public and private water managers sent a joint letter urging the Commission to preserve the Water Framework, Wastewater and Industrial Emissions directives. The file is scheduled for discussion at the College of Commissioners on 3 December, according to the official agenda.
Two Green Deal laws published in the Official Journal: The Soil Monitoring Directive was published in the Official Journal, alongside the Plastic Pellets Regulation. Both texts were negotiated in the previous mandate, with final adoption completed in 2025.
Netherlands calls for limits to environmental simplification: On 20 November, the Dutch government issued a 20 November non-paper arguing that simplification must not weaken existing levels of environmental protection.
Commission presents ETS2 Market Stability Reserve plans: On 27 November, the Commission published COM(2025)738 proposing to release 20 million allowances from the Market Stability Reserve if the carbon price exceeds EUR 45 per tonne, with further adjustments to avoid sharp market swings.
New languages added to the VSME Digital Template: On 27 November, EFRAG announced in an update to the VSME Digital Template that the Digital Template, XBRL Taxonomy and XBRL Converter now support Danish, French, German and Italian.
