Negotiators from the European Parliament, the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council and the Commission will attempt to reach agreement on Thursday 16 November on the November 2021 proposal for a regulation aiming to tighten the rules on waste shipments within the EU and to non-OECD countries in order to restrict waste exports, combat illegal shipments within the EU and boost the circular economy by encouraging recycling within the EU (see EUROPE 12834/3).
The Spanish Presidency is still hopeful that this third ‘trilogue’, which begins this evening (19:30), will be the last (see EUROPE 13250/6).
A provisional interinstitutional agreement will depend in particular on the ability to find common ground on the European Parliament’s proposed total ban on the export of plastic waste; this is the subject that will require the most discussion.
While some Member States would be prepared to accept such a ban, most EU countries are opposed, citing in particular the risk of such a measure being challenged at the World Trade Organization.
A compromise proposal put forward by the Commission has been examined at technical level and could be acceptable to those Member States prepared to show flexibility.
A distinction would be made between OECD and non-OECD countries, providing for more rigorous controls to avoid or prevent illegal shipments of plastic within the EU. A review procedure, scheduled for a few years’ time, would be used by the European Commission to assess whether a radical ban would be necessary.
The European Parliament would like to see a ban on exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries and the phasing out of exports of plastic waste to OECD countries within 4 years. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)