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REPORT (COM(2022)0677 – C90400/2022 – 2022/0396(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC

A-9-2023-0319

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Frédérique Ries

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's amended version of the Commission proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste sets sustainability, labelling and extended producer responsibility rules for packaging placed on the EU market. It bans intentionally added PFASs and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging, and requires all packaging to be recyclable and plastic packaging to contain minimum recycled content. It sets re-use and refill targets for large household appliances, beverages, take-away and transport packaging, and requires deposit and return systems for certain bottles and cans. It requires Member States to reduce packaging waste per capita and plastic packaging waste per capita, and to separately collect 90% of listed packaging materials by 2029. It harmonises labelling of packaging and waste receptacles, requires a Packaging Forum, and obliges online platforms and fulfilment service providers to meet extended producer responsibility rules.

Committee position. The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety proposes to amend the Commission proposal by strengthening rules on plastic waste reduction, banning PFASs and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging, setting a 90% separate collection target for 2029, and revising re-use and refill targets.

Key points

  1. Packaging must be manufactured so that substances of concern are minimised, and food contact packaging with intentionally added PFASs or Bisphenol A must not be placed on the market 18 months after entry into force.
  2. All packaging placed on the market must be recyclable, with design for recycling criteria and recyclability at scale requirements set by delegated acts; packaging in grade E or below is not considered recyclable.
  3. Plastic packaging must contain minimum recycled content from 2030 and 2040, calculated per packaging format, per manufacturing plant, per year; microenterprises are exempt.
  4. By 36 months from entry into force, tea and coffee bags, sticky labels on fruit and vegetables, and very lightweight plastic carrier bags for loose food must be compostable to home or industrial standards.
  5. Packaging must be designed to minimise weight and volume, and grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging must have an empty space ratio of maximum 40%.
  6. From 1 January 2030, economic operators must meet re-use targets for large household appliances, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and various transport and grouped packaging formats.
  7. Final distributors in the HORECA sector must provide systems for consumers to bring their own containers for take-away food and drinks, and offer reusable packaging options.
  8. Member States must reduce plastic packaging waste per capita by 10% by 2030, 15% by 2035 and 20% by 2040 compared to 2018.
  9. By 1 January 2029, Member States must separately collect 90% of the materials listed in Article 46 by weight, and set up sufficient separate collection systems in public spaces.
  10. Single-use plastic beverage bottles and single-use metal beverage containers up to three litres must be covered by deposit and return systems, with exemptions for Member States meeting collection conditions.
  11. Packaging must bear a harmonised label based on pictograms, and reusable packaging must bear a reusability label; waste receptacles must be labelled for separate collection.
  12. A Packaging Forum with balanced participation of Member States and stakeholders must be established, and online platforms and fulfilment service providers must comply with extended producer responsibility requirements.

Who is affected

  • Economic operators placing packaging on the EU market, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and online platforms, must meet sustainability, labelling and reporting rules.
  • Producers of packaging have extended producer responsibility, must register in each Member State and appoint authorised representatives.
  • Final distributors in the HORECA sector must offer refill and reusable packaging options for take-away food and beverages.
  • Member States must set up separate collection systems, meet waste reduction targets and lay down penalties for infringements.
  • Microenterprises and micro-companies are exempt from certain re-use targets and packaging format restrictions.

Figures and deadlines

  • 18 months from entry into force: date from which food contact packaging with intentionally added PFASs or Bisphenol A must not be placed on the market.
  • 30% recycled content for contact sensitive PET packaging, 7.5% for other contact sensitive plastics, and 35% for other plastic packaging from 1 January 2030.
  • 25% recycled content for contact sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET from 1 January 2040.
  • Maximum 40% empty space ratio for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging.
  • Re-use targets from 1 January 2030: 50% for large household appliances, 20% for non-alcoholic beverages, 10% for alcoholic beverages excluding wine, 30% for pallets and crates, 10% for e-commerce transport packaging.
  • Plastic packaging waste reduction per capita: 10% by 2030, 15% by 2035, 20% by 2040 compared to 2018.
  • Separate collection of 90% of materials listed in Article 46 by weight by 1 January 2029.
  • Deposit and return systems for single-use plastic beverage bottles and metal containers with capacity from 0.1 litres up to three litres.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.