On November 22, 2023, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) with 426 votes in favor, 125 against, and 74 abstentions. The original draft regulation proposed in November 2022 went through public consultation and various amendments until it was finalized on October 24, 2023, by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee (FPF reported and here).
The proposed regulations encompass various measures aimed at reducing packaging, limiting specific types, and banning the use of harmful chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. In addition to general packaging reduction targets of 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are advocating for specific targets to reduce plastic packaging: 10% by 2030, 15% by 2035, and 20% by 2040 (FPF reported). However, many of the ‘unnecessary packaging items’, listed in Annex V of the original proposal had been revised in the final version. Food contact articles such as single-use cups and plates in the dine-in sector were removed from the scope of the new regulation, as well as single-use packaging for fruits and vegetables and single-use sauce and sugar tubs and sachets.
In a bid to encourage reuse and refill options for consumers, MEPs are seeking clarity on requirements for packaging to be reused or refilled. They propose that distributors of beverages and take-away food in the food service sector provide consumers with the option to bring their own containers (FPF reported). The current version of the regulation also requires that all packaging should be recyclable, meeting stringent criteria to be defined through secondary legislation. Temporary exemptions are outlined for certain materials like wood and wax food packaging. If member states can report recycling rates over 85% for a specific packaging type, this type is excluded from reuse targets.
Furthermore, MEPs are urging EU countries to ensure that 90% of materials contained in packaging (plastic, wood, ferrous metals, aluminum, glass, paper, and cardboard) are collected separately by 2029.
Following this adoption, the Parliament is initiating talks with national governments to finalize the legislation once the European Council has adopted its position.
This revised form of the regulation comes after months of discussion and reportedly record-breaking amounts of lobbying by packaging manufacturers and the food service sector against many of the regulation’s proposed requirements. Many individual MEPs as well as civil society organizations are highly critical and see the regulation as a missed opportunity.
Reference
European Parliament (November 22, 2023) “Parliament adopts revamped rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging.”
Read more
Eleonora Vasques (November 17, 2023) “MEPs denounce packaging waste regulation lobbying as violating ‘Qatargate’ rules.” Euractiv
Plastics Europe (November 22, 2023) “Reaction to European Parliament Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation vote.”
Zero Waste Europe (November 22, 2023) “A position for the wrong century: European Parliament’s vote on the PPWR.”
Permanent Materials Alliance (November 22, 2023) “Permanent Material Alliance welcomes the European Parliament’s ambition on recyclability.” (pdf)
Europen (November 22, 2023) “EUROPEN recognises Parliament’s efforts towards a more science-driven outcome but warns of serious Single Market disruption.”
Nathan Canas (November 23, 2023) “The draft regulation on packaging waste stokes fears about impact on forests.” Euractiv
Kira Taylor (November 23, 2023) “Parliament votes to water down EU’s packaging waste law.” Euractiv
Circular (November 23, 2023) “EU packaging vote labelled “missed opportunity.”
