Revision of Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste

Summary:

Directive 94/62/EC aims to harmonise national measures concerning the management of packaging and packaging waste. The objective is to protect the environment and ensure the proper functioning of the internal market. In 2018, the directive was revised, and more ambitious targets for recycling of packaging waste were set for EU Member States to achieve by 2025 and 2030 (for instance, by the end of 2030, at least 70 % by weight of all packaging waste will have to be recycled). Article 9(5) of the directive requires another revision to reinforce the 'essential requirements' with which all packaging material must comply to be placed on the market.

It is expected that further measures aimed at reducing the generation of packaging waste will be introduced as part of the revision, in line with commitments taken under the EU plastics strategy, the European Green Deal and its circular economy pillar.

This briefing informs parliamentary decision-making by presenting findings on the implementation of the directive, and in particular the reinforcement of the 'essential requirements', which is central to the upcoming revision.

Further information:

This briefing is one in a series of 'implementation appraisals', produced by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), on the operation of existing EU legislation in practice.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

European Commission: 30/11/2022: Proposal for a revision of EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/proposal-packaging-and-packaging-waste_en

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