Relevo’s Post

📣🚨 Political agreement reached in trilogue - PPWR Update After lengthy negotiations, a provisional political agreement was reached yesterday evening between the Parliament and the Council on the PPWR! 🔑 Key points of the provisional agreement: 1. Reuse targets and refill obligations: - Sets new binding reuse targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040 notably for: alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, transport and sales packaging, grouped packaging.  - By 2030, the take-away sector must offer 10% of products in packaging formats suitable for reuse. - Economic operators are exempted if the Member state they operate in exceeds recycling targets by 5% by 2025 and are on track to exceed targets by 5% by 2030. 2. Restrictions on certain packaging formats: - Bans cover single-use plastic packaging for:  i) fruit and vegetables ii) food and beverages, condiments, and sauces within the HORECA sector iii) small cosmetic and toiletry products used in the accommodation sector. 3. Deposit Return Systems (DRS): - Mandatory for single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers, with exemptions if a separate collection rate of above 80% is reached by 2026. 4. Sustainability Requirements: - Restrictions on food contact packaging containing PFAS above certain thresholds. - Minimum recycled content in plastic packaging. - Maximum empty space ratio of 50% in certain types of packaging to reduce unnecessary packaging. ❓ Uncertainty looms: The Commission's hesitation to sign the agreement, primarily driven by concerns regarding rules on recycled plastic imports deemed as protectionist measures, leaves a question mark hanging over the decision. A resolution is expected to be reached at the political level in the coming days. 👁️ New ERA takeaway: At a first glance, the terms of the agreement that have been published are very disappointing for the reuse and refill industry. We will have to wait some days to assess its details, but the removal of ambitious targets for takeaway packaging and the existence of a general derogation to meet the reuse targets if certain recycling rates are reached, are concerning and go in the opposite direction of the PPWR’s objectives of reducing packaging waste and promoting reuse and refill. 🔜 Next step: The text will undergo formal adoption by both institutions. While the agreement provides assurances to both the Parliament and the Council, the adoption of the text is still uncertain. #PPWR #Agreement #EuRegulation #Reuse #Refill #Packaging