News & Press Releases

18 Apr 2024

Green Claims Directive: State-of-play & Interplay with Packaging Rules

While the Directive on Empowering Consumers, which entered into force on 27 March 2024, forbids vague environmental claims, EU legislators are still discussing the Commission's proposal for a Green Cl...

18 Apr 2024

Waste Framework Directive: Negotiations Pending

As the end of the current legislative term approaches, the European Parliament and the EU Council are continuing work on the Commission's proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Dire...

05 Mar 2024

EU negotiators reach provisional agreement on PPWR

The second and final political trilogue on PPWR took place in Brussels on Monday 4 March and the co-legislators have reached a provisional political agreement on the text in the evening. Francesca...

26 Feb 2024

Industry associations call for the adoption of a clear framework for the substantiation and verification of environmental claims

The undersigned associations call on the European Parliament to ensure the adoption of a clear, harmonised and workable framework for the substantiation and verification of environmental claims as par...

08 Feb 2024

Joint industry statement calling for thoughtful and science-based reuse policies in the transport packaging sector

The undersigned associations representing different segments of the packaging value chain, urge policy makers to agree on effective and realistic measures for transport packaging during the trilogue n...

24 Jan 2024

Joint industry statement on references to “state-run producer responsibility organisations” in the PPWR

The undersigned organisations call on EU legislators to delete the references to ‘state-owned producer responsibility organisations’ in recital 97a, Article 39.7b and Article 42.6 of the draft PPW...

11 Jan 2024

Unwrapping the PPWR: European Parliament and Council negotiating positions

As the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation trilogue discussions kicked-off on 10 January 2024, check below what the European Parliament and Council negotiating mandates look like! Unwrapping P...

20 Dec 2023

EUROPEN Newsletter – December 2023

Find our latest Newsletter here...

19 Dec 2023

What else? Other updates on policy files you should know about

As we wrap up activities for this year, see below what progress was made on other files relevant to the packaging value chain this year! Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) 3...

19 Dec 2023

Work to amend the Waste Framework Directive continues

Since the publication of the Commission proposal for the revision of the Waste Framework Directive on 5 July 2023, work on the file in the European Parliament and Council continues. In the European...

19 Dec 2023

PPWR unwrapped

Les jeux sont faits. Well... Almost. If you have been following the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, now set to become a Regulation, you might have found yourself answering the...

14 Dec 2023

Over 100 associations warn current PPWR approach risks unravelling the Single Market and setting the clock back on the Green Deal

Brussels, 14 December 2023 – EUROPEN and more than 100 associations, representing Europe’s packaging industry, have written to EU Member States, urging them to uphold the Single Market or face h...

22 Nov 2023

EUROPEN recognises Parliament’s efforts towards a more science-driven outcome but warns of serious Single Market disruption

The European Parliament's adoption of its negotiating position on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) marks a crucial milestone in shaping the future of Europe's packaging industry. EU...

16 Jun 2023

EUROPEN elects its new Board of Directors 2023-2025

On 8 June 2023, on the occasion of its annual General Assembly, EUROPEN elected its new Board of Directors to drive the association for the upcoming two-years mandate. The composition of the Board...

30 Nov 2022

News update: European Commission Proposal for the Revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

On 30 November, the European Commission published the second part of its Circular Economy package introducing, amongst others, its proposal for the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Direct...

14 Sep 2022

Packaging industry calls for recognition of packaging role for the resilience of essential supply chains

Brussels, 14 September 2022 – EUROPEN, the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment, welcomes the commitment by European Commission President von der Leyen to ensure Europe’s strate...

14 Apr 2022

EU Taxonomy: the transition to a circular economy

On 30 March 2022, the European Commission’s Platform on Sustainable Finance published its recommendations for technical screening criteria for the EU taxonomy with a focus on four main objectives: t...

14 Apr 2022

Revised rules on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods

The Commission is currently revising rules to allow the use of recycled plastics in food contact material applications, which will repeal legislation dating back from 2008. The revision should provide...

14 Apr 2022

Making sustainable products the norm

Previously called the “Sustainable Products Initiative”, the European Commission’s proposal for an Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) was published on 30 March 2022 as part of...

14 Apr 2022

The Waste Framework Directive review is in motion

Another key milestone is ahead of us. On 25 January 2022, the European Commission launched a call for evidence for an Impact Assessment that will support the revision of the Waste Framework Directive...

14 Apr 2022

Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive: What’s new?

Since our last update in December, the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) has made some progress. Work by Eunomia, the consultancy firm supporting DG Environment, has conti...

17 Dec 2021

Publication of the long-awaited Waste Shipment Regulation proposal

On 17 November 2021, the European Commission adopted its long-awaited proposal for a new Regulation on waste shipments. In 2020, the EU exported 32.7 million tons of waste to non-EU countries (a 75% i...

17 Dec 2021

Working towards a single circular economy

The protection of the Single Market principles is close to the heart of EUROPEN and actions to defend these principles have animated the year 2021. Uneven and diverging implementation of EU laws at na...

17 Dec 2021

Ensuring and protecting the food supply: the work is bearing fruit

The publication of the European Commission Communication on the Contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis on 12 November 2021 wraps up the discussions generated by...

07 Oct 2021

INTERVIEW OF EVA SCHNEIDER, AIM – THE EUROPEAN BRANDS ASSOCIATION, ABOUT THE HOLYGRAIL 2.0 INITIATIVE

INTERVIEW EVA SCHNEIDER, SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT AIM, THE EUROPEAN BRANDS ASSOCIATION, ABOUT THE HOLYGRAIL 2.0 INITIATIVE In September 2020, AIM launched an exciting cross-va...

07 Oct 2021

The Circular Plastics Alliance is kicking into high gear and working hard to reach 10 million tonnes of recycled plastics

20 September 2019 marks the date of the signature of the Declaration of the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), and with that, the commitment to ensure that at least 10 million tons of plastic are recyc...

07 Oct 2021

Celebrate the World Food Day 2021 with us!

The huge environmental and nutritional challenges we face, exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis and the subsequent economic and social impacts, put our global food systems at risk. Food waste, in partic...

07 Oct 2021

Preliminary recommendations for technical screening criteria for the EU taxonomy

On 3rd August 2021, the European Commission’s Platform on Sustainable Finance published its preliminary recommendations for technical screening criteria for the EU taxonomy with a focus on circulari...

07 Oct 2021

One step closer to the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

When you last read our newsletter in July, the Commission was working in full speed on the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) to be able to adopt its proposal by the end of...

07 Oct 2021

Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the Single Market

A strong and harmonised Single Market is key to foster the investments and innovation needed to drive the circular economy. Unfortunately, we continue to observe a growing trend of diverging national...

07 Oct 2021

College of Commissioners: What’s on the agenda?

We have had a peak at the agenda of the College of Commissioners, have a look below to see what is in store for the coming months! 19 October 2021: publication of the 2022 Work Programme 14 De...

12 Jul 2021

The Single Market is the engine of EU’s economy and must be preserved

"The Single Market is really the engine of the European Economy. It sets the base of what Europe was all about when the project started, taking down these barriers". EUROPEN's Managing Director Fra...

27 Apr 2021

EUROPEN newsletter – April 2021

Find here our April 2021 newsletter...

20 Apr 2021

EUROPEN elects its new Executive Committee

On 25 March 2021, on the occasion of its bi-annual Council of Members, EUROPEN held the elections of its Executive Committee. The members elected as part of the EUROPEN Executive Committee 2021-202...

16 Apr 2021

Packaging value chain calls on the European Commission to dedicate appropriate time and resources to review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

The review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) represents a key opportunity to accelerate and further scale up the circularity of the EU economy. Today, EUROPEN, together with 59...

17 Sep 2020

Packaging value chain calls on EU to protect the Single Market to deliver on the Green Deal and circular economy

Following the commitment by European Commission President von der Leyen to deliver on the Single Market in her State of the Union address, the packaging value chain calls upon the EU institutions to l...

27 Aug 2020

EUROPEN’s feedback on substantiating green claims

As announced as part of the European Green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission has presented its initiative for a legislative proposal on substantiating Green Claims...

29 Jul 2020

Review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

July 2020 - EUROPEN feedback on the Inception Impact Assessment Following-up on the objectives of the European Green Deal, the European Commission has presented its initiative to review the Packag...

17 Jul 2020

Views of the Packaging Supply Chain on Fiscal Measures related to Packaging Materials and Applications

11 May 2020

New leadership for EUROPEN

Brussels, 11 May 2020 - EUROPEN, the European Organization for Packaging and Environment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Francesca Stevens as Managing Director per 1 June 2020. Ms. Stevens...

23 Mar 2020

Packaging needs to be recognised by EU and national governments as an essential part of the continued flow of goods during the COVID-19 pandemic

Brussels, 20 March 2020 - The members of EUROPEN, the European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment, are doing their utmost to maintain the necessary supply of food and hygiene products as...

13 Mar 2020

EUROPEN welcomes the future, growth and innovation-oriented Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0

Brussels, 13 March 2020- EUROPEN welcomes the publication of the European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0, which is an important follow-up measure to the Circular Economy Package of 2...

20 Sep 2019

EUROPEN co-signs the Circular Plastics Alliance Declaration with shared goal to increase the uptake of recycled plastics in Europe

Brussels, 20 September 2019 - EUROPEN – the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment- is pleased to sign today the Declaration of the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA) at the European...

27 Mar 2019

Adoption of the Single-Use Plastics Directive: EUROPEN calls for harmonised, consistent and proportionate implementation

Brussels, 27 March 2019 – Noting the adoption of the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive by the European Parliament today, EUROPEN supports the EU’s overarching objectives of taking bold action a...

05 Feb 2019

Packaging Supply Chain joins alliance to ensure necessary framework conditions for circular plastics

Brussels, 5 February 2019 – On the occasion of the first meeting of the European Commission’s high-level Circular Plastics Alliance, which aims to improve the economics and quality of plastics re...

16 Nov 2018

73 packaging value chain organisations call on EU to safeguard the Single Market in Single-Use Plastics negotiations

Brussels, 16 November 2018 – EUROPEN and 72 other associations representing a wide range of packaging materials and sectors across the packaging value chain call on the European Institutions to...

16 Nov 2018

Single Use Plastics Directive- 73 national and EU industries call on EU to safeguard the Internal Market for packaging and packaged goods in view of trilogues

The undersigned organisations represent interests in a wide range of packaging materials, including plastics, and sectors at different stages of the packaging value chain in Europe. Building on ea...

24 Oct 2018

EUROPEN comments on today’s European Parliament vote on Single Use Plastics

Brussels, 24 October 2018 – Today the European Parliament adopted its report on single-use plastics (SUP). EUROPEN supports measures that address the problem of plastic pollution effectively, tha...

11 Oct 2018

EUROPEN – Statement on the ENVI vote on single-use plastics

Brussels, 11 October 2018 – Yesterday the European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted on single-use plastics. EUROPEN supports policy objectives that address the problem of plastic pollution...

22 Aug 2018

Packaging value chain coalition of 68 industry associations launches joint recommendations ahead of negotiations on the Single-Use Plastics proposal

Brussels, 22 August 2018 – EUROPEN and 67 other European and national associations representing a wide range of packaging materials and sectors across the packaging value chain, have announced�...

22 Aug 2018

Joint Statement from 68 Packaging Value Chain associations on the Single-Use Plastics Proposal

The undersigned organisations represent a wide range of packaging materials, including plastics, and sectors at different stages of the packaging value chain in Europe. We wish to express our rese...

25 Apr 2018

Packaging industry leaders reaffirm commitment to packaging innovation for a circular economy at EUROPEN’s 25th anniversary

Brussels, 25 April 2018 – Celebrating its 25th anniversary today, EUROPEN gathered high-level EU policy-makers, industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss the key role of packaging innovation fo...

18 Apr 2018

EUROPEN welcomes strengthened legal framework for EPR and strong Internal Market safeguards in the adopted Circular Economy Package

Brussels, 18 April 2018 – EUROPEN welcomes today’s adoption by the European Parliament of the revised EU waste legislations, as part of the Circular Economy Package. EUROPEN commends EU negotiato...

07 Feb 2018

Circular economy? Not without the Internal Market!

Without oversight, the implementation of the circular economy package entails a huge risk of Member States going into different directions and introducing barriers to the internal market, warns Virgin...

16 Jan 2018

EUROPEN welcomes EU Plastics Strategy’s call for strengthened and harmonised packaging waste management systems in Europe

Brussels, 16 January 2018 – EUROPEN welcomes the EU’s Plastics Strategy as an important contribution towards achieving the objectives of a Circular Economy and tackling (marine) littering. EUROPE...

18 Oct 2017

127 industry organisations urge the EU to safeguard the Internal Market for packaging and packaged goods

Brussels, 18 October 2017 – In view of the forthcoming inter-institutional negotiations to finalise the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), as part of the Circular Econo...

18 Oct 2017

129 National and EU industries call to safeguard the Internal Market for Packaging and Packaged Goods in the Circular Economy Package

The signatories of this statement call on the European Parliament, Council and Commission to maintain the Internal Market legal base of the PPWD and all its amending acts, including the current pr...

29 May 2017

Unprecedented coalition of EU and national industries warn the Single Market for goods still needs to be defended: do not take it for granted!

Brussels, 29 May 2017 – On the eve of the start of inter-institutional negotiations on the EU Circular Economy Package, EUROPEN and 68 other EU and national industry associations, representing a...

15 Mar 2017

36 packaging value chain industry associations launch joint recommendations ahead of negotiations on the EU CEP

Brussels, 15 March 2017 – Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote on legislative proposals amending the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD)...

15 Mar 2017

36 packaging value chain industry associations launch joint recommendations ahead of inter-institutional negotiations on the EU CEP

Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote, EUROPEN and 35 packaging value chain associations herewith present common recommendations for the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and Packaging...

24 Jan 2017

EUROPEN welcomes improvements to EPR requirements and safeguard of the Internal Market

Brussels, 24 January 2017 - Following today’s vote in the European Parliament ENVI Committee on the revision of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD...

30 Aug 2016

38 Packaging Value Chain Industry Associations launch joint recommendations for a resource-efficient Circular Economy

Brussels, 30 August 2016 – EUROPEN and 37 other associations* representing a wide range of sectors including major consumer goods brands, packaging producers, material producers and extended produc...

30 Aug 2016

Joint Statement from 38 Packaging Value Chain associations on the legislative review amending the WFD and PPWD

Key Messages Ensure a life-cycle approach in legislation, taking into account the functionalities of packaging, such as preserving the entirety of resources invested in the packaged product along...

24 May 2016

EUROPEN calls for clear EPR legal framework and strong Internal Market safeguard in Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

BRUSSELS, 24 May 2016 – Speaking at a multi-stakeholder event on the Circular Economy Package (CEP) today, EUROPEN called on EU policymakers to secure a strong legal framework for Extended Producer...

02 Mar 2016

Packaging supply chain calls for strengthened protection of the Internal Market in waste proposals

Brussels, 2 March 2016 – Ahead of Friday’s EU Environment ministerial debate on the Circular Economy Package and its waste proposals, the packaging supply chain is calling on EU policymakers to e...

02 Mar 2016

EUROPEN’s policy recommendations to maximise the benefits of a Circular Economy in Europe

EUROPEN supports the growth and competitiveness objectives of the Circular Economy and much of the content of the legislative proposals. We have however identified some regulatory gaps in the Commissi...

23 Feb 2016

Circular Economy: EUROPEN recommendations on the EU legislative proposals for the PPWD and WFD

EUROPEN supports the objectives of the Circular Economy package and much of the content of the legislative proposals, which have important implications for the sustainable growth and competitiveness o...

25 Jan 2016

The Circular Economy Package: the distinct case of packaging & packaging waste within the wider EU waste policy framework

The Circular Economy Package promises to be an important driver for sustainable growth and competitiveness for the packaging supply chain in Europe. From a policy perspective, relevant harmonisati...

18 Jan 2016

EUROPEN appoints Gwendoline Riou as its EU Public Affairs and Communications Manager

Brussels, 18 January 2016 – Today, EUROPEN - the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment - announced the appointment of Ms Gwendoline Riou as its EU Public Affairs and Communication...

10 Dec 2015

Packaging supply chain welcomes the Circular Economy Package and presents its preliminary views on the WFD and PPWD legislative proposals

Brussels, 10 December 2015 – EUROPEN calls the Circular Economy Package and Commission proposals “an important step towards further sustainable growth and competitiveness” for the packaging supp...

02 Dec 2015

EUROPEN welcomes the European Commission’s holistic approach towards a competitive and resource efficient Circular Economy

Brussels, 2 December 2015 – Today the Commission published its Circular Economy package. EUROPEN is pleased that the proposal recognises the enabling contribution packaging makes in a Circular Econ...

26 Nov 2015

A well functioning EU Internal Market is a precondition for a competitive, resource-efficient and growth-oriented Circular Economy

How to move away from linear production and consumption to a circular economy? To an economic model where there is virtually no waste but more secondary raw materials that can be re-injected in a Euro...

27 Oct 2015

Circular Economy: Major industries call for common EU minimum requirements for Extended Producer Responsibility schemes in Europe

Common waste stream views on EPR in Europe Brussels, 27 October 2015 – Major manufacturing industry sectors in Europe that fall under the legal obligations of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR...

12 Sep 2015

Packaging Value Chain Industries launch joint recommendations for a resource-efficient Circular Economy

Brussels, 21 September 2015 – EUROPEN and 29 other associations* representing a large range of industries and sectors including major consumer goods brands, packaging producers, material producers...

27 Aug 2015

Enabling a competitive and resource-efficient Circular Economy

The EU institutions have promised ambitious policy goals towards a Circular Economy in Europe. The related policy review aims to set an enabling EU policy framework while not being too prescriptive re...

09 Jul 2015

European Parliament’s call for stronger regulatory framework for EPR and a lifecycle approach

EUROPEN welcomes European Parliament’s call for stronger regulatory framework for EPR and a lifecycle approach Brussels, 9 July 2015 – The packaging supply chain in Europe welcomes the adoption...

29 Jun 2015

Towards a competitive, resource-efficient and growth-oriented Circular Economy

The role of packaging and a call to safeguard its sectoral regulatory approach It is very encouraging to read that a life-cycle approach is explicitly supported in MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen’s draft re...

23 Apr 2015

Policy debate on Circular Economy and Packaging – The role of EPR

Circular Economy: European Parliament urged to support strengthened EU legal framework for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging Brussels, 23 April 2015 – In the context of the European P...

13 Apr 2015

EUROPEN Policy Recommendations for the EU’s Circular Economy Package

April 2015 – EUROPEN policy recommendations for a competitive, resource-efficient and growth-oriented Circular Economy. Ensure full implementation and enforcement of existing EU laws, in part...

22 Jan 2015

EP ENVI Committee Hearing on the Waste Legislative Package

EUROPEN spoke as a key industry stakeholder at the Public Hearing on the EU Waste Legislative Package organised by the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee for Environment. The presentation provi...

20 Jan 2015

Factsheet on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for used packaging

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) provides a longstanding and successful legislative framework, enabling continuous innovation and environmental improvements, sustainable growth an...

16 Dec 2014

Packaging supply chain calls on Commission to introduce new Circular Economy proposal without delay

On the occasion of the Commission’s announcement of its Work Programme for 2015 today, EUROPEN, representing the packaging supply chain in Europe, notes the withdrawal of the Circular Economy packag...

12 Dec 2014

Joint Statement by Packaging Value Chain Industries on the EU Waste Package

In view of the presentation of the European Commission’s work programme 2015 on 16 December 2014, a coalition of industries active in the packaging value chain has sent a joint statement on the EU W...

04 Dec 2014

EUROPEN issue paper on the EU Waste Targets Review

In July 2014, the European Commission published a proposal to revise recycling and other waste-related targets in the EU, including in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). The aim of th...

27 Oct 2014

Packaging supply chain calls for circular economy that promotes sustainable growth and competitiveness

EUROPEN Statement ahead of the Environment Council meeting on 28 October 2014 Brussels, 27 October 2014 – Ahead of the Environment Council meeting tomorrow in Luxembourg, packaging material prod...

03 Jul 2014

EUROPEN welcomes promotion of circular economy while safeguarding the internal market in EU waste proposals

Packaging supply chain welcomes acknowledgment of the internal market, regrets lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities for Extended Producer Responsibility and unjustified cost burden on produce...

28 Apr 2014

Time to foster packaging’s contribution towards a resource efficient Europe

BRUSSELS - Packaging is part of the solution for overall sustainability. Across the packaging supply chain efforts will continue to deliver resource efficiency, promoting the transition towards a circ...

18 Feb 2014

NEW Packaging & Packaging Waste Statistics 1998-2011

Positive evolution in packaging recycling rates but realistic future targets still key, shows latest EUROPEN report 18 February 2014 – EUROPEN’s new in-depth analysis of official EU data on the...

25 Oct 2013

Realistic EU targets key to continued progress in packaging recycling and recovery,new EU data shows

Realistic EU targets key to continued progress in packaging recycling and recovery, new EU data shows 23 October 2013, Brussels – The overall recycling rate in the EU-27 increased slightly to 63,6...

09 Oct 2013

EUROPEN 20th Anniversary Event – Packaging and Sustainability

“Packaging’s direct positive effect on resource efficiency” Calls for increased collection of post-consumer packaging to help meet current and future recycling and recovery targets through EPR...

07 Oct 2013

EUROPEN – Fostering packaging’s contribution to delivering Resource Efficiency in Europe

On 7 October 2013, the Parliament Magazine published a Guide to the National Governments that includes a full-page editorial presenting EUROPEN. This article highlights EUROPEN members’ commitment t...

21 Jan 2013

Packaging Waste Management is Increasingly Resource Efficient – EU Data Shows

A EUROPEN analysis of official EU data on packaging waste shows that over the past twelve years the amount of used packaging sent for final disposal is declining rapidly. “Higher recovery rates and...

18 Sep 2012

EUROPACK Summit

european paper week 2007 John Swift spoke at the EUROPACK Summit in Cannes on 17th September, and gave the keynote address on the topic of sustainability and the packaging supply chain. His key me...

21 May 2012

Packaging and the Environment – A New Guide to European Legislation

EUROPEN announces a totally revised edition of its indispensable guide to European legislation affecting packaging and packaged goods. The guide takes account of relevant EU policy developments and vo...

30 Jun 2010

The Consumer Goods Forum initiative releases global framework measurement system for trading partners

The Consumer Goods Forum is delighted to release the first report from its Sustainability workstream. The report, A Global Language for Packaging and Sustainability, delivers a common framework and me...

01 Feb 2010

New Staff Appointment at EUROPEN

Brussels, 1 February 2010. EUROPEN, The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Virginia Janssens as EU Affairs Manager. In this capacity Vir...

27 Jan 2010

Global project on packaging and sustainability enters pilot phase

In an ongoing effort to drive global change in packaging, leaders from many of the world’s largest consumer goods companies and major retailers have approved a suggested set of common definitions an...