NEWSLETTER N° 220 – 26 MAY 2025

Word of the week? CBAM… From Russia to EU MEPs, everyone had something to say about the topic. Clearly, a fan favourite! 

Single Market Strategy: On 21 May, the European Commission published its long-awaited ‘Strategy for making the Single Market simple, seamless and strong’, which you can find here. 

Single Market Strategy – At a glance: On 19 May, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published a ‘at a glance’ document on the single market strategy. 

Battery Regulation: On 21 May, the Commission presented a proposal for the revision of the batteries regulation. 

Battery fires: On 20 May, FEAD, in cooperation with European associations representing the entire public and private waste management value chain, extended producer responsibility organisations and public service unions, published a joint position paper expressing concerns over a significant increase in fire incidentswithin the European waste management sector, largely attributed to themisplacement of lithium batteries. 

European Commission – PET investigation: On 22 May, the European Commission launched an investigation to assess whether anti-dumping measures are warranted on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from Vietnam. 

Omnibus on chemistry: Announced on 12 May at the end of the strategic dialogue on chemistry, the presentation of an action plan for the chemistry industry was added to the College’s calendar for the 2 July. 

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: The UK and the EU announced on 19 May that they will, in the coming weeks, start talks to link the UK’s emissions trading system (ETS) with the EU’s. The final statement also mentions possible UK participation in the EU electricity market. 

Safety of eCommerce products: The European Parliament reports that during the 20 May IMCO meeting, MEPs welcomed the progress made on the compromise amendments on product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports.

Emission Trading System (ETS) – Report: In a 21 May report, the European Roundtable on Climate Change and Sustainable Transition stated that EU countries earned a total of 32 billion euros from the ETS in 2023.

EU Emission trading system for buildings, road transport and additional sectors – Briefing (ETS2): On 21 May, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published a briefing on ETS2. 

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): On 22 May, the European Parliament endorsed the Commission’s proposal, which is a part of the “Omnibus I” simplification package presented on 26 February 2025. 

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – Russia: On 19 May, the Russian Federation requested a WTO dispute consultations with the European Union and member states concerning the EU’s ‘Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Package’ and alleged export subsidy under the EU scheme for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances. 

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – At a glance: On 19 May, the European Parliament’s Think Tank published a ‘at a glance’ document on the CBAM.

Polish Presidency on CSRD & CS3D simplification: The Polish Presidency has presented a new draft compromise to experts from the Member States on 19 May. 

Omnibus on CSRD Business survey: The association WeAreEurope, in partnership with HEC Paris, conducted and published on 15 May the results of a survey of European companies to gather their opinion on the directive on extra-financial reporting (CSRD) and the amendments proposed by the executive. 

Joint Industry Statement raising concerns over state-run Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs): 50 associations from the packaging value chain have signed a Joint Industry Statement raising concerns over state-run Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs). 

Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD): Cosmetics Europe announced on 21 May that it has analysed the data used by the Commission in its impact assessment on the UWWTD. 

Implementation of the Directive on Protection of Environment through Criminal Law: On 4 June, the Committee on Legal Affairs is organising an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) on the ‘Implementation of the Directive on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law’.

FEAD news: On 22 May, the Buy Better to Build Better coalition, which FEAD is a member of, launched. Read our manifesto. Buy Better to Build Better brings together forward-thinking stakeholders from industry, civil society, and public authorities under a shared commitment to mainstream public procurement as a core lever in driving large-scale demand for green construction solutions, while maintaining European industry at the forefront of technological progress.