Faced with high energy prices and unfair global competition in the plastics recycling sector, six EU Member States urged the European Commission on Wednesday 19 November to propose short- and medium-term support measures as a preamble to future circular economy legislation, which is expected in the third quarter of 2026.
In their joint declaration, Austria, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Spain and the Netherlands list solutions ranging from combating unfair competition to financial support, circular business models and the introduction of minimum recycled feedstock content for products.
The six Member States are calling for “the urgent implementation of Article 7(10) of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation” (see EUROPE 13577/32), which sets minimum recycled content requirements for plastic packaging. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation will come into force in August 2026, and stakeholders will have until 1 January 2030 to apply Article 7.
The EU has also been asked to add polymers to the list of products for which ecodesign measures will be developed as a priority, in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, in order to make products more recyclable and less polluting.
To combat unfair competition and strengthen demand, the six countries recommend that the EU “make full use of its Trade Defence Toolbox, including anti-dumping measures” and incorporate circularity into the revision of the public procurement regulation.
In addition, the Member States are defending increased funding for the circular economy through the LIFE programme, as part of the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.
Read the letter: https://aeur.eu/f/jk9 (Original version in French by Florent Servia)