Comments on European Parliament Activities on Circular Economy Waste Legislative Package: “Ambition is Good – Disrupting the EU Internal Market However Not an Option”

The European Parliament’s ENVI Committee is currently finalising its draft reports on Commission proposals for amending the Waste Directive and a series of waste-stream-specific Directives, including Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Following votes in the ITRE Committee on draft opinions on the proposals in October, the final ENVI vote is set for late January 2017.

This position paper presents Orgalime’s key observations on the options under consideration by MEPs in advance of the vote. Our main message is that while we fully support an ambitious approach to the circular economy, it is imperative not to undermine the Internal Market – one of the EU’s core freedoms and its greatest asset in times of increasing globalisation.

For certain proposals – tightening landfill policy, for example, or ensuring proper implementation and enforcement of existing waste legislation – the environmental and economic benefits are clear. However, a number of suggestions are of great concern to technology manufacturers, as implementing them would pose a significant challenge to the functioning of the Single Market. For example, proposals to introduce product design measures at national level risk giving rise to 28 different product standards, undermining a level playing field for manufacturers and recyclers.

Orgalime is calling on European regulators to support our recommendations for the way forward. We are advocating for a sustainable solution that reconciles environmental ambition with economic realities – one that benefits European citizens and the environment, but without jeopardising the growth and employment provided by Europe’s manufacturing sector.

Download the position paper to read our recommendations in detail.