NEWSLETTER N° 211 – 24 MARCH 2025

Brussels has been buzzing with meetings last week! From high-level discussions at the European Council, to preparations for the upcoming Environment Council, the EU bubble has been in full swing. And guess what? Simplification is still the star of the show!

Environment Council: Environment ministers will gather in Brussels on 27 March to discuss the environmental dimension of the clean industrial deal and to exchange views on global environmental policies. The Polish Presidency has circulated a note in order to prepare for the upcoming Environment Council taking place on 27 March. 

European Council: On 20 March, the European Council took place and the conclusions of the meeting have been published. 

Waste Framework Directive (WFD): On 18 March, the European Parliament’s ENVI committee approved the agreement reached during the end of February trilogues. The next day, Coreper I also supported the agreement, which now has to be approved in plenary and by ministers in the coming weeks.

Omnibus Package: MEP Jörgen Warborn (Sweden, EPP) has been named the Rapporteur for the omnibus package on CS3D and CSRD, announced the EPP on 19 March. 

Public Procurement: On 18 March, Rapporteur Piotr Müller (Poland, ECR) published a draft report on public procurement. 

European Steel and Metals Action Plan: On 19 March, the European Commission published the European Steel and Metals Action Plan. 

Energy Council: Energy ministers met in Brussels on 17 March to discuss the action plan for affordable energy and to exchange views on the EU’s energy security architecture. 

European Commission – DG Environment: The internal reorganisation of DG Environment has been formalised by the publication of the organigram. 

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – EEB Guide: On 20 March, the European Environmental Bureau published a guide that highlights the opportunities for national and local governments to implement the provisions of the PPWR.

FEAD News – ELV hearing: On 19 March, FEAD Secretary General, Paolo Campanella, participated to the European Parliament’s ELV hearing, calling for bold legislative action to support a truly circular economy. He emphasized the need to maintain the 25% recycled content target, but also to introduce intermediate targets to help the industry adapt, rather than waiting six years.