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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2652(RSP))

On the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and risks to the security of supply of medicines

B-10-2026-0240

on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Per Clausen

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

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.

This resolution supports the full implementation of the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, including its extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, and rejects efforts to delay or weaken it. It warns that removing EPR would shift costs to municipalities and citizens, increase water tariffs, and hinder compliance with water quality standards. It calls on the Commission and Member States to uphold the directive, use existing flexibilities for generic medicines, and extend EPR to other micropollutant sources like pesticides.

Key points

  1. Reaffirms support for full, timely implementation of the recast UWWTD, including an effective EPR system to fund wastewater treatment.
  2. Denounces industry efforts to delay or weaken the 'polluter pays' principle and rejects claims that EPR harms medicine access.
  3. Warns that shifting costs to municipalities would raise water tariffs, burdening vulnerable citizens, farmers, and small businesses.
  4. Warns that failure to protect drinking water would shift financial burdens to future generations.
  5. Recalls that Member States must meet environmental quality standards, including nine for pharmaceuticals, and that abolishing EPR would leave inadequate funds.
  6. Calls on the Commission and Member States to uphold the directive's integrity and ensure implementation data is evidence-based and free from industry influence.
  7. Invites Member States and the Commission to use existing flexibilities to address concerns about generic medicines without undermining EPR.
  8. Recalls the One Health approach, stressing that medicine access and environmental protection must be pursued together.
  9. Urges pharmaceutical and chemical industries to stop obstructing environmental measures and embrace EPR and sustainable product design.
  10. Calls for timely extension of EPR to other micropollutant sources, including pesticides.

Who is affected

  • Pharmaceutical and cosmetics producers: must continue financing quaternary wastewater treatment under EPR.
  • Municipalities and water users: would face higher costs if EPR is weakened.
  • Generic medicine producers: may see minor cost increases but can absorb them via contract adjustments.
  • Rural areas and farmers: would be disproportionately affected if EPR is abolished.

Figures and deadlines

  • EPR must finance at least 80% of quaternary treatment costs.
  • Medicine price impact estimated at EUR 2.64-3.20 per person per year by 2045.
  • Generic medicine cost increase estimated at EUR 0.53-0.64 per person per year.
  • Quaternary treatment required for plants serving over 150,000 people, and 10,000-150,000 in risk areas.
  • Implementation starts December 2033 with 20% of larger and 10% of smaller plants, full by December 2045.

Legal basis: Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union