Revision of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste

NAT/885 - Revision of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste

Context

Packaging is necessary to protect and transport goods, but it poses environmental concerns and creates obstacles in the EU's internal market due to differing regulations between Member States. The EU aims to ensure all packaging is reusable or recyclable by 2030, reduce packaging waste, and increase recycled content while promoting job creation and skills investment. This initiative updates the EU legislative framework for packaging and packaging waste with a harmonized regulatory framework to support waste reduction targets, promote high-quality recycling in all Member States and safeguard the principles of the EU internal market.

Key points

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment ( NAT) has adopted an opinion: Revision of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste

In the opinion, the EESC:

• supports the Commission's initiative to revise packaging and packaging waste legislation due to the increasing negative impact of packaging waste on health, economies, and the environment. While packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring consumer safety and food quality, the EESC also welcomes a revision that balances environmental concerns with consumer safety.
• highlights the need to avoid imposing unnecessary administrative or operational burdens on SMEs when transposing the updated regulation into national legislation. It is crucial to consider appropriate deadlines for effective implementation, especially for affected industries and consumers.
• suggests involving and motivating consumers in reusing, returning, or recycling packaging through positive and negative incentives. Consumers should be educated and informed about their role in the deposit return system and re-use and re-filling. They also should be encouraged through creative ways to positive change their behavior according to the updated Regulation.

Section: Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT)

Rapporteur: István Komoróczki (Employers - GR I/Hungary)

Co Rapporteur: Panagiotis Gkofas (Civil Society Organization's - GR III/Greece)

Reference: EESC-2022-06037-00-00-AS-TRA-EN / [COM(2022) 677 final – 2022/0396 (COD)]

Date of the section meeting: 13 April 2023

Results of the section meeting vote: 54 votes in favour, none against and 3 abstentions.

Date of adoption at the EESC plenary session: 27 April 2023

Results of the plenary session vote: XX in favour, X against, X abstentions

Contacts:

Katerina Serifi

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 (0) 473 72 29 99

Email: aikaterini.serifi@eesc.europa.eu

Caroline Verhelst

Administrator

Tel.: +32 (0) 2 546 9497

email: Caroline.Verhelst@eesc.europa.eu