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 package. EUROPEN calls on the Commission to come forward with a new Circular Economy proposal without delay in 2015, as announced by Vice-President Timmermans today.
EUROPEN’s member companies have been working jointly with other stakeholders for many years to help implement packaging waste management systems via Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance schemes. The review of the EU Waste Acquis, as part of the Circular Economy Package, would have provided an ideal opportunity to enhance industry’s ability to carry out its legal EPR obligations under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) and to help reach packaging specific sector/company objectives.
EUROPEN Managing Director, Virginia Janssens: “There are still substantial challenges which will need to be addressed to promote full implementation and enforcement of the PPWD. In particular, minimum performance requirements for packaging EPR schemes should be introduced in the PPWD to ensure that EPR remains a cost-effective compliance option for producers/importers to meet existing and future EU and national packaging recycling targets”.
EUROPEN remains supportive of the objective to move further towards a ‘closed loop’ circular economy. We are willing to work constructively with the Commission on a new legislative proposal in 2015. Future EU legislation should be clear, proportionate and indeed effective, safeguarding the Internal Market and enhancing innovation and growth for the packaging value chain in Europe.
For all enquiries, please contact: EUROPEN
T: +32 2 736 36 00 - Email: packaging@europen-packaging.eu - Website: www.europen-packaging.eu
EUROPEN -- the European Organization for packaging and the Environment -- is an EU industry association in Brussels representing the opinion of the packaging supply chain in Europe, without favouring any specific material or system. EUROPEN members are comprised of multinational corporate companies spanning the packaging value chain (raw material producers, converters and brand owners) plus six national packaging organizations all committed to continuously improving the environmental performances of packaged products, in collaboration with their suppliers and customers. www.europen-packaging.eu