NEWSLETTER N° 210 – 17 MARCH 2025

The push for legislative simplification is moving ahead at full speed, and it’s becoming clear who’s getting on board, and who’s not! Despite concerns from NGOs, political institutions are showing no signs of slowing down.

Clean Industrial Deal – Consultation on New State aid Framework: The European Commission has launched a public consultation, from 11 March to 25 April, on new State aid guidelines supporting the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal presented on 26 February. 

Competitiveness Council: The Competitiveness Council saw the presentation of a non-paper by four Member States (Spain, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia) with proposals for a Strategic Framework and the establishment of a robust industrial pillar within the future European Competitiveness Fund.

Call for support to the post-consumer Textile sector: On 13 March, FEAD, in collaboration with EuRIC, published a joint position paper, urging for immediate support for the European post-consumer textile sector during EPR transition. The paper includes recommendations from both associations to help the sector currently facing an urgent crisis. 

Product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports: On 5 March, the European Parliament published a draft report by Rapporteur Salvatore De Meo (Italy, EPP) on product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports. 

Commission countermeasures in response to US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports: On 12 March, the Commission announced that in response to the US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports, it has launched countermeasures on US imports into the EU. 

100 days of the Commission – President remarks: On Sunday 9 March, Commission President von der Leyen made some remarks to the press on the first 100 days of the 2024-2029 Commission. 

Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD): On 10 March, Medicines for Europe published a press release supporting its members that have filed a legal case with the Court of Justice of the EU against the creation of an Extended Producer Responsibility system in the UWWTD. 
Also on 10 March, the association Cosmetics Europe filed an action with the EU General Court to seek clarity on the topic of the UWWTD explaining that they are asking for a ‘fair application of the polluter pays principle’. 

International Plastics Treaty: The minutes of the 20 February meeting of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee were published on 6 March.

Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (2024-2025): On 13 March, the European Commission has opened for feedback a call for evidence to evaluate the implementation of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).

Action Plan for affordable energy: On 7 March, the Polish Presidency circulated a Presidency background note in order to prepare the policy debate on the Action Plan for affordable energy that will take place on 17 March, during the Transport and Energy Council. 

FEAD News: On 7-8 April, in collaboration with our Bulgarian member, BRRA, we are organising a series of events in Sofia, Bulgaria. This includes our first General Assembly of the year, as well as a guided tour of Sofia, a networking session and a visit of a plastic recycling and/or sorting facility near Sofia, exclusively for FEAD members. More information.