Do not discount the EU from the climate transition… that’s the message von der Leyen tried to get through to the UN during her 24 September speech. Back in Brussels, the study on the PPWR is currently being finalised according to Commissioner Roswall.
National Determined Contribution (NDC): On 24 September, during a speech to the UN, Commission President, von der Leyen, reaffirmed the goal to submit the EU’s NDCs before the COP30 which starts on 10 November.
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): The Commission has launched a study to assess whether the 100% reuse target for pallet wrappings and straps in transport operations can feasibly be achieved by 2030. Commissioner Jessika Roswall informed MEP Piotr Müller (ECR, Poland) that the study is at its final stage and, based on its results, the Commission intends to propose a delegated act before the end of 2025 which will exempt those wrappings and straps for which the economic, environmental and operational data do not support the application of the 100 % target.
End-of-life-vehicles Regulation (ELVR): In preparation of the trilogues (first meeting scheduled for the 16 October 2025) the European Parliament has published the four column document to guide the negotiations.
International Plastics Treaty: On 23 September 2025, ENVI Members held an exchange of views with the Commission and the United Nations Environment Programme on the negotiations of the Plastics Treaty.
Environmental Implementation Review (EIR): On 22 September 2025, ENVI Members held an exchange of views with the Commission on the fourth EIR and on the report on the Update of the costs of not implementing EU environmental law.
EU ETS: On 23 September, ENVI Members held an exchange of views with the Commission on the EU ETS for buildings, road transport and additional sectors (EU ETS2) that will become fully operational in 2027. Beatriz Yordi, Director at the EU Commission’s climate arm DG CLIMA, during the hearing, told MEPs that the Commission estimates carbon price on new ETS2 market at €30/tonne CO₂.
Microplastic pollution from plastic pellets: The Council approved on 22 September the Regulation on Microplastic pollution from plastic pellets. On 23 September, the European Parliament Think Tank published a briefing on the file.
Water pollution: On 23 September, the Council and the Parliament reached an agreement on the revision of the directive on the list of pollutants affecting surface and groundwater.
Substances of Concern (SoC): On 10 September, a coalition of lobbies representing various sectors (metals, electrical and electronic equipment, etc.) called on the Commission for a ‘harmonized and viable approach’ concerning substances of concern (SOC) in a letter.
Strategic projects under Critical Raw Materials (CRM): On 25 September, the Commission opened a second call for strategic projects under CRM. The call is open until 15 January.
