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 Directive, focused on food waste reduction and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textile.
On 13 March 2024, the EU Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the file. MEPs have agreed on the need to raise the level of ambition of the legally binding food waste reduction targets initially proposed by the EU Commission, proposing the introduction of a 20% reduction target for food processing and manufacturing and a 40% target for the consumption level (retail, and other distribution of food, restaurants and food services, and in households). According to the EU Parliament's proposal, targets will have to be achieved by December 2030 and calculated in comparison to the amount of food waste generated, on average, between 2020 and 2022. The Commission would also be mandated to evaluate the possibility of introducing higher targets for 2035 (at least 30% and 50% respectively), by December 2027. While MEPs tabled more than 116 amendments to the text. Some of these include:
On the Council side, discussions are continuing in the Working Party on Environment. The latest WP meeting was held on 18 March, with a view to prepare the Environment Council of 25 March. On that occasion, Member States’ delegates discussed several questions put forward by the Belgian Presidency. Amongst others, discussions revolved around the level of ambition of the food waste reduction targets, the need to establish an appropriate baseline for their calculation and whether food waste prevention targets should also include non-edible food waste and primary production. ,
While many questions remain on the table, the EU Council is expected to adopt its position on the file at the Environmental Council of 17 June. Since this will take place after the EU elections, the file will be transferred to the next mandate for interinstitutional negotiations, when the incoming MEPs will take over the negotiations.
WHAT DID YOU MISS?
- 05 July 2023: Publication of the European Commission proposal for the revision of the WFD
- 13 March 2024: Adoption of the EU Parliament negotiating position on the file
- 18 March 2024: Council's Working Party on Environment
- 25 March 2024: Environment Council discusses the file
WHAT'S NEXT:
- 17 June 2024: Expected adoption of the Council general approach
- 06 – 09 June 2024: European elections