Plastics Europe welcomes the simplification of environmental legislation

“At a time when the competitiveness of Europe’s plastics industry is fast crumbling, targeted efforts from policymakers to restore competitiveness are crucial and urgent. The Commission’s Environmental Simplification Package proposal sends a loud and clear message: Europe cannot transition to a net zero economy if it ties its industry in red tape. The European plastics industry has long pushed for smarter rules to turn circularity into reality. That’s why we welcome the inclusion of several key measures in the simplification package, which we believe are crucial for our industry. In particular, the simplification obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes which can make them more efficient.” These were the first words with which Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of Plastics Europe, welcomed the European Commission’s measures to simplify environmental legislation in order to support sustainable growth.

Virginia Jenssens went on to say that “today, EPR schemes vary widely across EU Member States, often requiring companies to appoint external representatives in countries where they have no physical presence. Removing such requirement provides flexibility to companies and is a major step forward. We strongly encourage further opportunities for a Single Market harmonisation and digitalisation of EPR to come under the Circular Economy Act in 2026, to advance the uptake of recycled materials in new products. The Commission’s document also addresses the lengthy permitting process, which is a major roadblock for industrial decarbonisation. That’s why we welcome the Commission’s push to speed up and streamline environmental assessments through single-point contact, digital tools, and tacit approvals for decarbonisation and circular economy projects.”

"Finally, we look forward to the announced publication of the Commission notice Document on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will provide much-needed clarity on the implementation of this very important legislation. In a nutshell, the Environmental Simplification Package is a meaningful step toward cutting unnecessary burdens. We urge legislators to carry this momentum forward and ensure that smart, simplified regulation, free from excessive implementation burdens for industry and Member States, stays at the heart of future EU legislation”, the Plastics Europe Managing Director concluded.