NEWSLETTER N° 212 – 31 MARCH 2025

Last week, the Environment Council had a full plate! Ministers tackled the Clean Industrial Deal, the Circular Economy Act, and even the COP16. But one thing was missing from the menu: the 2040 climate target. 

Environment Council: On 27 March, the Environment Council took place in Brussels, for which the main results were published. 

Strategic Projects under Critical Raw Materials: On 25 March, the European Commission published the strategic projects chosen under the Critical Raw Materials Act. 

Single-Use-Plastics Directive (SUP): Asked through a priority question for written answer by MEP Alexandra Mehnert (Germany, EPP) about possible measures to ‘reduce red tape for companies’ in implementing the SUP 2019 directive, Commissioner Jessika Roswall responded that the Commission will evaluate the SUP Directive by 3 July 2027. 

CS3D and CSRD: COREPER II approved, on 26 March, its position on the ´Stop the clock´ Directive, part of the Omnibus package presented by the Commission on 26 February. 

Green Taxonomy – ChemSec reaction: In a post on 20 March, the association ChemSec explained that it is concerned by the amendment proposed by the Commission on green taxonomy. 

Calculation and verification methodology of rates for recycling efficiency and recovery of materials of waste batteries: On 21 March, the European Commission adopted the Implementing Act on the Calculation and verification methodology of rates for recycling efficiency and recovery of materials of waste batteries. 

Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Chemical Industry in Europe: On 25 March, the European Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Chemical Industry in Europe took place. Cefic has laid out 10 urgent actions that must be included in a comprehensive Chemical Industry Package.

RAC and SEAC meeting: On 19 March, the Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) met for the first time in 2025. According to ECHA, during the meeting, they progressed their evaluation of the proposed restriction on PFAS and reached provisional conclusions for applications of fluorinated gases. 

‘One Substance, one assessment’ package: On 26 March, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published a ‘At a glance’ document on the One substance, one assessment package. 

Energy-intensive industries: On 24 March, a motion for a resolution on energy intensive industries was tabled at the Parliament. 
On 26 March, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published a ‘At a glance’ document on Energy-intensive industries. 

Water Resilience Strategy: On 27 March, the European Parliament’s AGRI Committee voted on its opinion on the Water Resilience Strategy with 31 votes in favour. 

Consumption of clothing, footwear and textiles in the EU – EEA briefing: On 26 March, the European Environment Agency published a briefing on the EU’s consumption of clothing, footwear and textiles. 

RecyClass – Recyclability Methodology: On 27 March, RecyClass announced that a new version o the Recyclability Methodology has been published in anticipation of upcoming legislative changes. 

Commitments made by Wopke Hoekstra: On 09 January, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published a briefing on the Commitments made by Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra. 

Commitments made by Jessika Roswall: On 25 March, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published a briefing on the Commitments made by Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall. 
 

FEAD News: Last week the RID/ADR/ADN Joint Meeting approved 2 proposals on the carriage of waste dangerous goods submitted by FEAD. The new rules apply from 2027 and will:

• Clarify the carriage of empty, uncleaned drums and IBCs for recycling or disposal, when their permitted period of use or the date of expiry of the last periodic test or inspection is exceeded, or when required information and documentation is no longer available.
• Estimate quantities, notably for the carriage of waste in tanks, provided that a device or procedure is used to ensure compliance with the regulated degrees of filling.

These new rules come after previous proposals for crucial rules to carry packaged waste both in single and combination packagings have already been introduced in RID/ADR from January 2025, also at the initiative of FEAD.