Proposal for a Regulation on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC

Author (Corporate)
Series Details COM (2022) 677
Publication Date 30/11/2022
Content Type , ,

Summary:

Legislative initiative - tabled by the European Commission on 30 November 2022, concerning packaging and packaging waste. It introduces amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904. It seeks to repeal Directive 94/62/EC. This is a text with EEA relevance.

Further information:

Manufacturing of packaging is an important economic activity in the European Union (EU), but regulatory approaches differ from one Member State to another, which creates obstacles that prevent the EU's internal market from fully functioning. Packaging is also a key environmental concern. The increased use of packaging couple with low re-use and recycling rates hamper the development of a low-carbon circular economy.

The European Commission's Industrial Strategy for Europe underlined the importance of the internal market for the EU's competitiveness and prosperity. The Council conclusions of December 2020 welcomed the Commission's intention to ensure that all packaging is reusable or recyclable in an economically feasible way by 2030 and to reduce packaging, over-packaging and therefore packaging waste. The European Parliament's response to the Commission's latest Circular Economy Action Plan urged the Commission to table a proposal that includes waste reduction measures and targets, requirements to reduce excessive packaging, and measures to improve recyclability and minimise the complexity of packaging, increase recycled content, phase out hazardous and harmful substances, and promote re-use without compromising food safety and hygiene standards.

A draft law was eventually adopted by the European Commission on 30 November 2022, as part of a Circular Economy Package. It updates the legislative framework for packaging and packaging waste by giving Member States and businesses adequate support to achieve waste reduction targets. It also seeks to implement review clauses already included in the previous amendment to Directive 94/62/EC. It introduces amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 laying down rules and procedures for compliance with and enforcement of EU harmonisation legislation on products, as well as to Directive (EU) 2019/904 addressing sing-use plastics.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2022:677:FIN
Related Links
Official
EUR-LEX: SWD(2022)384: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Impact Assessment Report https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2022:384:FIN
EUR-LEX: SWD(2022)385: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment Report https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2022:385:FIN
European Commission: DG Environment: Packaging waste https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en
European Commission: Press Release, 30/11/2022: European Green Deal: Putting an end to wasteful packaging, boosting reuse and recycling https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7155
European Commission: Questions & Answers on the Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (30 November 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_7157
European Commission: Opening remarks by Executive Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Sinkevičius at the press conference on the Circular Economy Package (30 November 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_22_7323

News
EurActiv, 03/11/2022: EU set to adopt mandatory recycled content targets in new packaging law https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-set-to-adopt-mandatory-recycled-content-targets-in-new-packaging-law/
EurActiv, 04/11/2022: EU readies new law to cut packaging waste from e-commerce https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-readies-new-law-to-cut-packaging-waste-from-e-commerce/
Politico, 30/11/2022: EU sets out plan to cut back packaging waste https://www.politico.eu/article/4-things-to-know-about-the-eus-push-to-cut-packaging-waste/
Reuters, 30/11/2022: EU sets recycling, reuse targets to cut packaging waste https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/eu-sets-recycling-reuse-targets-cut-packaging-waste-2022-11-30/
Euronews, 30/11/2022: Reuse and recycle: EU proposes revised rules to limit packaging waste https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/11/30/reuse-and-recycle-eu-proposes-revised-rules-to-limit-packaging-waste

Commentary and Analysis
European Environmental Bureau (EEB): News, 30/11/2022: Only two files remaining in a meager Circular Economy ‘package’ https://eeb.org/only-two-files-remaining-in-a-meager-circular-economy-package/
Packaging Europe: News, 01/12/2022: Industry responds to ‘arbitrary’ revisions to Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive https://packagingeurope.com/news/industry-responds-to-arbitrary-revisions-to-packaging-and-packaging-waste-directive/9153.article

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