The regulation on batteries and battery waste proposed in December 2020 will be the big issue for EU environment ministers at the EU Environment Council meeting on 17 March, according to the agenda agreed on 23 February by the EU27 ambassadors to the EU (Coreper).
The session will start with an exchange of views on this regulation with a view to reaching a political agreement (a general approach), as the French Presidency of the EU Council hopes, in the light of the progress made at the informal meeting in Amiens (see EUROPE 12878/15).
A compromise proposal on the outstanding issues - the timetable, the scope and what falls under the REACH regulation - is under discussion. It should be discussed by Coreper on 2 March and, if necessary, on 9 March, with a view to reaching agreement. The Parliament made a decision on 10 February (see EUROPE 12888/13).
The other items are on the agenda for discussion. The ministers will have a further exchange of views on the ‘Fit for 55’ climate package, which will focus on the ETS and its extension to buildings and road transport.
This will be followed by a debate on the November 2021 proposal for a regulation to combat imported deforestation in the EU (see EUROPE 12874/2).
The greening of the ‘European Semester’ budgetary exercise will also be discussed. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)