Practical information
Composition of the study group & calendar
Administrator / Assistant in charge: Caroline VERHELST / Lukáš ĎURECH
Background
Packaging waste Directive in the European Union covers all types of packaging and packaging waste placed on the European market. This means all materials (from cardboard, glass, plastic, wood to metal), and packaging including industrial, commercial, household and other sectors.
Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste (Packaging Directive) regulates the placing on the market of packaging as well as packaging waste prevention and management.
In order to make the packaging field comply with the ambitious goals enshrined in the European Green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan, the Commission will review the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, with the aim to have all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. One of the major elements introduced by the Commission is a change of law-instruments: turning the directive into a regulation brings great potential for EU-wide harmonisation. The initiative will reinforce the essential requirements for packaging to ensure its reuse and recycling and improve its enforceability. Moreover, the proposal introduces a range of new measures, including targets for waste reduction, reuse and recycled content as well as design for recycling criteria, mandatory deposit return schemes and improved labelling.
In addition to improving the environmental performance of the packaging sector, this proposal is expected to deliver economic benefits. The proposal would help create jobs in the EU, increase the competitiveness of the waste management, recycling and manufacturing sectors, reduce European dependence on critical raw material resources and reduce administrative burdens.