NEWSLETTER N° 215 – 21 APRIL 2025

The ESPR 2025-2030 Working Plan has been adopted by the Commission and with it, the list of products that should be prioritised the next five years : steel, aluminium, textiles, and mattresses. Meanwhile, the Parliament’s Think Tank examined into the issue of water availability across the EU, and a provisional agreement on the toy safety regulation has been reached!

ESPR – 2025-2030 Working Plan: On 16 April, the European Commission adopted the 2025-2030 working planfor theEcodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)andEnergy Labelling Regulation. 

Toy safety Regulation: On 10 April, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on new EU toy safety rules to enhance the protection of children’s health and development. 

EU emissions trading system for maritime, aviation and stationary installations, and market stability reserve – review: On 15 April, European Commission opened a consultation on EU emission trading systems until 8 July. 

Modernisation fund – Call for feedback: On 14 April, the Commission opened a consultation to evaluate the Modernisation Fund’s operating rules.

Innovation fund- Call for feedback: On 15 April, the Commission opened a consultation until 8 July on the Innovation fund. 

Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act – Call for feedback: On 16 April, the Commission opened a consultation (until 9 July) on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. 

Stop the clock – CSRD CS3D: On 16 April, the stop the clock Directive on CSRD and CS3D was published in the Official Journal of the EU. 
On 18 April, seven NGOs, including ClientEarth, Notre affaire à tous, European Coalition for Corporate Justice and Friends of the Earth, announced that they are contesting the ‘undemocratic’ process that led to the adoption of the Directives. 

LIFE Program: The European Commission adopted, on 15 April, the work programme for the implementation of the LIFE programme for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Water availability in the EU – study: On 11 April, the European Parliament Think Tank published a study on water availability in the EU. 

PFAS – ENVI Committee: On 23 April, according to the agenda, the Commission will exchange views with the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee on its planned actions on PFAS.

ECHA – 2024 Annual Report: On 15 April, ECHA published its report for the year 2024. It is an account of the activities carried out by the agency during that year, as well as an overview of its budget and management. 2024 was the first year of implementation of ECHA’s 2024-2028 strategy. 

Copernicus Climate change service report on European state of climate: On 16 April, the Copernicus Climate change service published a report that states that ‘2024 was the warmest on record for Europe, with striking east-west contrasts in climate conditions.’
 

Zero Waste Europe study on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): On 14 April, Zero Waste Europe published a study on Extended Producer Responsibility schemes that analyses 30 years of EPR implementation and proposes a framework to transform EPR systems into catalysts for the circular economy transition.