On 17 November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal to revise EU rules governing shipments of waste. The proposed regulation aims at easing shipments of waste for reuse and recycling in the EU, to support the transition to a circular economy; ensuring that waste exported from the EU is managed in an environmentally sound manner in the destination countries; and stepping up enforcement to counteract illegal shipments of waste. While supporting the proposed streamlining and digitalisation of procedures, stakeholders have stressed the need for significant improvements to ensure that the new regulation fulfils its objectives, in particular as regards exports of waste.

EPRS policy podcast - Revision of the EU's Waste Shipment Regulation

The European Commission has announced the establishment of a 'right to repair', with a view of saving costs for consumers and facilitating the development of a circular economy. The right to repair may refer to different issues and situations: repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves. Rates of repair depend on the type of a product, with the cost of repair being the most important reason consumers avoid repair. Research shows that consumers favour products that are easily repaired, but their willingness to pay for such products depends on the type of product and the way information on the reparability is presented to them...

EPRS policy podcast - Right to repair

Open strategic autonomy ensures the capacity to cope alone if necessary but without ruling out cooperation whenever possible. It relies on foresight to identify threats and ensures resilience by anticipating the required responses. Can the resulting preparedness also prevent crises (or dissuade others from creating them) by normalising internally situations that would else become emergencies?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if open strategic autonomy could break the cycle of recurring crises?

The aim of the legislative proposal for a Union certification framework for carbon removals initiative is to ensure high-quality EU certified carbon removals, through a transparent and credible governance framework. In doing so, this would open up the possibility for further investments towards carbon removal activities and increased deployment.

EPRS podcast policy - A Union certification framework for carbon removals

The European Union produces more than&nbsp;2.2 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently updating its&nbsp;legislation on waste management&nbsp;to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

The circular economy is a&nbsp;model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the&nbsp;life cycle of products is extended.

In March 2020, the European Commission presented the circular economy action plan,&nbsp;&nbsp;which aims to promote more sustainable product design, reduce waste and empower consumers, for example by creating aright to repair). There is a focus on resource intensive sectors, such as&nbsp;electronics and ICT,&nbsp;plastics,&nbsp;textiles&nbsp;and construction.

In February 2021, the Parliament adopted a resolution on the&nbsp;new circular economy action plan&nbsp;demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050, including tighter recycling rules and&nbsp;binding targets for materials use and consumption&nbsp;by 2030.

In March 2022, the Commission released the&nbsp;first package of measures&nbsp;to speed up the transition towards a circular economy, as part of the circular economy action plan. The proposals include boosting sustainable products, empowering consumers for the green transition, reviewing construction product regulation, and creating a strategy on sustainable textiles.

In November 2022, the Commission proposed&nbsp;new EU-wide rules on packaging. It aims to reduce packaging waste and improve packaging design, with for example clear labelling to promote reuse and recycling; and calls for a transition to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Circular economy

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

In its resolution on the European Green Deal, Parliament called for an ambitious new circular economy action plan aiming to reduce the total environmental and resource footprint of EU production and consumption, with resource efficiency, zero pollution and waste prevention as key priorities.

Circular economy (2019 - 2020)

As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Parliament worked on four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

#EUelections2019 - Circular economy

Press conference on the Final vote on the right to repair

EP Plenary session - Common rules promoting the repair of goods

EP Plenary session - Empowering consumers for the green transition

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on The right to repair

EP Plenary session - Union certification framework for carbon removals

EP Plenary session - Batteries and waste batteries

EP Plenary session - Right to repair

EP Plenary session - The need for an ambitious EU Strategy for sustainable textiles

Batteries and waste batteries regulation, laying down a holistic set of rules to govern the entire product life cycle

Stockshot on Circular economy: sustainable textile strategy - Bag factory using technical fabrics from industry

ENVI Committee - Vote on the regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries

EP Plenary session - Implementation of the Construction Products Regulation

EP Plenary session - Administrative cooperation in the field of taxation

EP plenary session- New Circular Economy Action Plan

Circular economy - right to repair

During the EP plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on the report on waste by Simona BONAFE (S&amp;D, IT).&nbsp;The results are: 698 voters, 82 in favour, 88 against, 28 abstention. The report is adopted.
This video also contains illustrative material.

Circular economy - Waste management: extracts from the vote and B-roll (illustration)

This Infoclip illustrates the micro-brewery Jaw Brew making beer from waste bread.

Infoclip: Circular economy – Brewery (Glasgow – United Kingdom)

Meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety&nbsp;in the EP in Brussels. Vote on the Waste package (circular economy): 67 votes, 59 in favour, 7 against and 1 abstention. The report is adopted. Applause, shot on&nbsp;and statement by Simona BONAFE (S&amp;D, IT), Rapporteur. B-roll on waste management. Illustration material

Waste package (circular economy): extracts from the vote and statement by Simona BONAFÈ (S&D, IT), Rapporteur - B-roll

This Infoclip illustrates waste management in several locations in Belgium.

Infoclip: Waste management (circular economy)

Debate on Circular Economy Package during the EP plenary session in Brussels. Statements by Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Jyrki KATAINEN, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, Giovanni LA VIA (EPP, IT), Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL), Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ (GUE/NGL, ES) and Davor SKRLEC (Greens/EFA, HR)

Circular Economy Package : extracts from the debate

This infoclip illustrates the circular economy topic in several sectors: the textiles, the electronic products, paper and cardboard, plastics, biomass, and car-sharing. Source: EC - Audiovisual Service (http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?sitelang=en&ref=I111232) 00:26:44 - 00:27:23: © The Associated Press - The material is offered for the purpose of providing information and/or education on the European Union until 30/11/2020. The assignment to a third part is not allowed. For any other uses contact AP - www.aparchives.com

Infoclip: Circular economy

This infoclip illustrates the different cleaning-up operations carried out in the building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels, as the cleaning of the hemicycle, the offices, the canteen or the repainting of walls, and the general maintenance of the building as well.

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