On 17 November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal to revise EU rules governing shipments of waste. The proposed regulation aims at easing shipments of waste for reuse and recycling in the EU, to support the transition to a circular economy; ensuring that waste exported from the EU is managed in an environmentally sound manner in the destination countries; and stepping up enforcement to counteract illegal shipments of waste. While supporting the proposed streamlining and digitalisation of procedures, stakeholders have stressed the need for significant improvements to ensure that the new regulation fulfils its objectives, in particular as regards exports of waste.

EPRS policy podcast - Revision of the EU's Waste Shipment Regulation

The European Commission has announced the establishment of a 'right to repair', with a view of saving costs for consumers and facilitating the development of a circular economy. The right to repair may refer to different issues and situations: repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves. Rates of repair depend on the type of a product, with the cost of repair being the most important reason consumers avoid repair. Research shows that consumers favour products that are easily repaired, but their willingness to pay for such products depends on the type of product and the way information on the reparability is presented to them...

EPRS policy podcast - Right to repair

The aim of the legislative proposal for a Union certification framework for carbon removals initiative is to ensure high-quality EU certified carbon removals, through a transparent and credible governance framework. In doing so, this would open up the possibility for further investments towards carbon removal activities and increased deployment.

EPRS podcast policy - A Union certification framework for carbon removals

Open strategic autonomy ensures the capacity to cope alone if necessary but without ruling out cooperation whenever possible. It relies on foresight to identify threats and ensures resilience by anticipating the required responses. Can the resulting preparedness also prevent crises (or dissuade others from creating them) by normalising internally situations that would else become emergencies?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if open strategic autonomy could break the cycle of recurring crises?

The European Union produces more than&nbsp;2.2 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently updating its&nbsp;legislation on waste management&nbsp;to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

The circular economy is a&nbsp;model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the&nbsp;life cycle of products is extended.

In March 2020, the European Commission presented the circular economy action plan,&nbsp;&nbsp;which aims to promote more sustainable product design, reduce waste and empower consumers, for example by creating aright to repair). There is a focus on resource intensive sectors, such as&nbsp;electronics and ICT,&nbsp;plastics,&nbsp;textiles&nbsp;and construction.

In February 2021, the Parliament adopted a resolution on the&nbsp;new circular economy action plan&nbsp;demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050, including tighter recycling rules and&nbsp;binding targets for materials use and consumption&nbsp;by 2030.

In March 2022, the Commission released the&nbsp;first package of measures&nbsp;to speed up the transition towards a circular economy, as part of the circular economy action plan. The proposals include boosting sustainable products, empowering consumers for the green transition, reviewing construction product regulation, and creating a strategy on sustainable textiles.

In November 2022, the Commission proposed&nbsp;new EU-wide rules on packaging. It aims to reduce packaging waste and improve packaging design, with for example clear labelling to promote reuse and recycling; and calls for a transition to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Circular economy

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

In its resolution on the European Green Deal, Parliament called for an ambitious new circular economy action plan aiming to reduce the total environmental and resource footprint of EU production and consumption, with resource efficiency, zero pollution and waste prevention as key priorities.

Circular economy (2019 - 2020)

As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Parliament worked on four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

#EUelections2019 - Circular economy

Press conference on the Final vote on the right to repair

EP Plenary session - Common rules promoting the repair of goods

EP Plenary session - Empowering consumers for the green transition

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on The right to repair

EP Plenary session - Union certification framework for carbon removals

EP Plenary session - Batteries and waste batteries

EP Plenary session - Right to repair

EP Plenary session - The need for an ambitious EU Strategy for sustainable textiles

Batteries and waste batteries regulation, laying down a holistic set of rules to govern the entire product life cycle

Stockshot on Circular economy: sustainable textile strategy - Bag factory using technical fabrics from industry

ENVI Committee - Vote on the regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries

EP Plenary session - Implementation of the Construction Products Regulation

EP Plenary session - Administrative cooperation in the field of taxation

EP plenary session- New Circular Economy Action Plan

Circular economy - right to repair

This infoclip shows in the first sequence footage of collection of unsold food (which otherwise would have been wasted) from a market, and in the second sequence collection of second hand clothes and its upcycling. With a Waste Framework Directive MEPs propose higher binding waste reduction targets to be met at national level by 31 December 2030 - at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing (instead of 10% proposed by the Commission) and 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services and households (instead of 30%). Parliament also wants the Commission to evaluate if higher targets for 2035 (at least 30% and 50% respectively) should be introduced, and if so, asks them to come up with a legislative proposal. MEPs agree to extend producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, through which producers that sell textiles in the EU would have to cover the costs for collecting, sorting and recycling them separately.

Infoclip: Texile and food waste

Following the final vote on the new rules promoting the right to repair for consumers, rapporteur René Repasi briefs media on its scope and answer questions. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press Conference by René REPASI (S&D, DE), rapporteur on Right to Repair

European Parliament approved new rules promoting the repair of goods. This footage shows MEPs debating and voting on the provisional agreement reached with the Member States on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers. Consumers receive a new right to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (e.g. washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and smartphones). To encourage repair and to revitalise the EU repair market, the rules also put in place a European online platform to find local repair shops or sellers of refurbished goods. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: extracts from the debate (22.04) and from the vote

René REPASI (S&D, DE), rapporteur, holds a press conference on EU rules to make repairs easier and more convenient. Parliament adopts its negotiating position on new rules promoting the right to repair and more sustainable consumption of consumer goods. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur on EU rules to make repairs easier and more convenient

Parliament adopts its negotiating position on new rules promoting the right to repair and more sustainable consumption of consumer goods. MEPs debate on draft legislation to make it easier for consumers to repair defective goods even after the expiration of the guarantee. The proposal complements other ongoing EU initiatives that pursue the European Green Deal objective of sustainable consumption and the circular economy. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur.

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: closing statements by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur, and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner on Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Parliament adopts its negotiating position on new rules promoting the right to repair and more sustainable consumption of consumer goods. MEPs debate on draft legislation to make it easier for consumers to repair defective goods even after the expiration of the guarantee. The proposal complements other ongoing EU initiatives that pursue the European Green Deal objective of sustainable consumption and the circular economy.

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: MEPs debate

Parliament adopts its negotiating position on new rules promoting the right to repair and more sustainable consumption of consumer goods. MEPs debate on draft legislation to make it easier for consumers to repair defective goods even after the expiration of the guarantee. The proposal complements other ongoing EU initiatives that pursue the European Green Deal objective of sustainable consumption and the circular economy. Opening statements by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur, Sunčana GLAVAK (EPP, HR), and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: opening statements by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur, Sunčana GLAVAK (EPP, HR), and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: extracts from the debate (Monday 20/11), votes and statements by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on the following topics during the plenary session in Strasbourg: Batteries and waste batteries - Achille VARIATI (S&D,IT); Artificial Intelligence Act - Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and by Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO).

Voting session: Batteries and waste batteries; Artificial Intelligence Act

Parliament gives its final green light to updated rules for the design, production and waste management of all types of batteries sold in the EU. The deal reached with the Council in December 2022 aims to build a stronger and more competitive industrial sector, which is crucial for the EU’s energy transition and for strategic autonomy. It introduces stronger requirements to make batteries more sustainable, more durable and better-performing, as well as including more stringent targets for waste collection, recycling efficiency and material recovery. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT), Rapporteur.

Batteries and waste batteries: closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment and by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT) , Rapporteur

The EU Parliament gives its final green light to updated rules for the design, production and waste management of all types of batteries sold in the EU. The deal reached with the Council in December 2022 aims to build a stronger and more competitive industrial sector, which is crucial for the EU’s energy transition and for strategic autonomy. It introduces stronger requirements to make batteries more sustainable, more durable and better-performing, as well as including more stringent targets for waste collection, recycling efficiency and material recovery.

Batteries and waste batteries: MEPs debate

The EU Parliament gives its final green light to updated rules for the design, production and waste management of all types of batteries sold in the EU. The deal reached with the Council in December 2022 aims to build a stronger and more competitive industrial sector, which is crucial for the EU’s energy transition and for strategic autonomy. It introduces stronger requirements to make batteries more sustainable, more durable and better-performing, as well as including more stringent targets for waste collection, recycling efficiency and material recovery. Opening statements by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT), Rapporteur, Patrizia TOIA (S&D, IT), ITRE Committee; Antonius MANDERS (EPP, NL), IMCO Committee; Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Erik BERGKVIST (S&D, SE), TRAN Committee. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Batteries and waste batteries: opening statement by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT), Rapporteur, Patrizia TOIA (S&D, IT), Antonius MANDERS (EPP, NL), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment and by Erik BERGKVIST (S&D, SE)

MEPs vote on the following topics: European Parliament/European Central Bank (ECB) Interinstitutional Agreement: structuring the practices for interaction in the area of central banking, Salvatore DE MEO (EPP, IT); Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, Paolo DE CASTRO (S&D, IT); Arrangement with the Republic of Iceland on the modalities of its participation in the European Asylum Support Office, Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL); EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, Delara BURKHARDT (S&D, DE); Sexual harassment in the EU and MeToo evaluation, Michal ŠIMEČKA (Renew Europe, SK); Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV).

Voting session: EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation

MEPs from the ENVI (Environment, Public Health and Food Safety) Committee vote on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. The European Parliament calls for binding EU legislation to guarantee that fashion is not produced at the cost of environmental destruction and human lives. Requirements should be set that prevent unsold clothes from being shredded or sent to landfill just because they are no longer in fashion or the warehouse is full. Only textiles that meet a minimum standard of sustainability requirements should be imported into the EU or produced within the EU. Extracts from the vote in committee and statement by Delara BURKHARDT (S&D, DE), Rapporteur.

Vote on EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles: extracts from the vote and statement by Delara BURKHARDT (S&D, DE), Rapporteur

On 27 April, ENVI Members vote on the own-initiative report on the Sustainable Textiles Strategy. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles is an integral part of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. It sets out to create a coherent framework to facilitate the transition of the textiles industry to a more sustainable and climate-neutral model by 2030. Specific ambitions include ensuring that textile products placed on the EU market are durable, recyclable and made largely of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced in full respect of human and workers.

Infoclip: Circular economy: sustainable textile strategy (updated version)

The European Commission’s proposal for a regulation establishing a general framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, repeals rules currently in force which concentrate on energy-related products only. The regulation would lay down rules that would apply to all products on the internal market, with the aim of making them more durable, reusable, reparable, upgradable, recyclable and generally less harmful to the environment. The regulation would include rules on a digital product passport, green public procurement and banning the destruction of unsold goods. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Ecodesign for sustainable products

The amount of clothes bought per person in the EU increased by 40 % between 1996 and 2012. Producing new clothing causes chemical pollution and contributes to climate change. There is a strong push in the EU to make every phase of garment production more sustainable. Some companies and fashion brands are investing in new technologies and business models. So what is the way forward? Even though there is no global one-size-fits-all answer, key trends have emerged, like circular fashion. This model promotes clothing rental, re-use and recycling.

EPRS - Circular fashion

The Commission, on 24 February 2021, adopted the new EU strategy on climate change adaptation which aims at enhancing the EU’s and the world’s capacity to adapt to and minimise the impacts of climate change and at the same time further develop and accelerate actions across the economy and society. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

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