News
12 Jul 2021

Review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, what’s new?

The review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) is no small feat, and the timeline is getting tighter. When time is pressed, rushed decisions are made - a point raised regularly by the packaging value chain to the European Commission, in a bid to allocate appropriate time to stakeholders to share their feedback on the different measures being considered for the review of the Directive, and to the Commission’s services to carry out a thorough impact assessment. These are key conditions for an ambitious review process that can set the basis for a systemic change in packaging sustainability. Despite this, the timeline for the adoption of the legislative proposal remains unchanged. The Impact Assessment study is expected to be concluded in autumn, likely in October, and the proposal for a revised Directive is expected to be adopted by the Commission by the end of 2021. 

As the review process of the PPWD is moving along and the final Commission's proposal is drawing closer, EUROPEN continues to stress the importance of harmonised, evidence-based and appropriate measures to ensure the success and effectiveness of the revised Directive.  

WHAT DID YOU MISS?  

As part of the Impact Assessment study, EUNOMIA (on behalf of DG Environment) organised in June a series of webinars on the key intervention areas of the PPWD review. These webinars were the opportunity for EUNOMIA to present the different policy measures that are being considered for the Directive’s review.  

WHAT’S NEXT?  

  • July – September 2021: The European Commission sent letters of formal notice to the 13 Member States in October 2020, urging them to bring their national laws in line with modifications included in the 2018 PPWD. The Commission has now decided to send reasoned opinions to them. The countries have two months to reply and take the necessary measures, otherwise the cases may be referred to the Court of Justice 
  • October 2021: Conclusion of Impact Assessment study 
  • Q4 2021: Expected adoption of the Commission’s proposal, as per current timeline. 

 

Click here to listen to our Managing Director Francesca Stevens share thoughts on the PPWD review. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the PPWD review!  

EUROPEN members: Do not hesitate to visit the dedicated members’ area of our website here to know more about our work on the PPWD.