Progress made in PPWR negotiations

We are pleased to share important developments regarding the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). On Friday 15 March, the text of the PPWR was approved by COREPER I, although Austria and Malta abstained.

Several concerns were raised by countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and others regarding the newly introduced mirror clause on post-consumer plastic waste imported from countries outside the EU. Despite these concerns, support for the text remained strong. It expressed reservations due to the lack of an impact assessment, but eventually agreed to a compromise to maintain progress.

On 19 March, the ENVI Committee adopted the provisional agreement by 63 votes in favour, 9 against and 3 abstentions, in line with the COREPER I decision. This progress means that the final political obstacles seem to have been overcome. Nevertheless, formal approval by Parliament's Plenary (scheduled for 24 April) and EU member state ministers is still required before the regulation can enter into force.

Although member states and Parliament can still raise objections during these stages, the likelihood of substantial changes is minimal. Nevertheless, the Commission retains influence through future delegated and implementing acts. Due to the upcoming European elections and high time pressure, translations and legal adaptations may be delayed until after the summer, potentially affecting the regulation's implementation timeline.

The approved preliminary text also leaves member states the option of implementing a digital deposit system, as currently discussed at the Belgian level, to achieve the required 90% separate collection rate for single-use plastic beverage bottles and beverage cans by 2029.