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

B100279/2026

European Parliament resolution on the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and risks to the security of supply of medicines

(2026/2652(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Articles 168 and 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment and its revision,

– having regard to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality,

– having regard to the role of the Member States in protecting public health and the environment,

– having regard to the shared competences of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety and the Committee on Public Health,

– having regard to the question to the Commission on the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and risks to the security of supply of medicines (O-000013/2026 – B10-0008/2026),

– having regard to Rules 142(5) and 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas effective treatment of urban wastewater is essential for the protection of human health, water quality and ecosystems;

B. whereas the Member States face significantly varying geographical, climatic, demographic and infrastructural conditions, including differences in population density, topography, water availability, precipitation levels, coastal and inland locations, the size and level of modernisation of wastewater treatment plants, the extent of current sewer networks, energy supply costs, and regional water pollution pressures, which have a significant impact on the organisation, efficiency and cost of their wastewater management systems and must therefore be taken into account appropriately when implementing EU-wide minimum standards;

C. whereas excessive regulatory burdens at EU level can increase costs for households and place disproportionate pressure on municipalities and local water suppliers;

1. Affirms that water policy and urban wastewater management must respect the competences of the Member States; recalls that EU action in environmental protection may be justified if it complies with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality;

2. Emphasises that any revision of EU rules must allow for maximum flexibility in implementation to take into account national, regional and local circumstances; underscores the importance of local authorities in decision-making given their context-specific knowledge;

3. Warns against imposing uniform requirements at EU level that do not sufficiently take into account regional diversity and infrastructure differences and could thereby impair the efficiency of resource allocation and long-term investment decisions;

4. Recognises the polluter pays principle as an important component of the EU’s environmental policy, but emphasises that any extended producer responsibility for medicines must be strictly evidence-based, proportionate and cost-effective, and should take appropriate account of the actual contributions of various sources of pollution; warns that disproportionate regulation could undermine supply security, access to medicines and the financial stability of public health systems;

5. Calls for generic medicines and other medicines critical to supply to be explicitly exempted from any potential extended producer responsibility regulations, in recognition of their crucial role in ensuring competition, cost control, medicine availability and security of supply;

6. Emphasises that the costs of urban wastewater treatment should be addressed through transparent and democratically accountable financing mechanisms, and that any potential manufacturer contributions must be clear, transparent and proportionate;

7. Calls on the Commission to revise its proposal on urban wastewater treatment so that any extended producer responsibility schemes are based on scientific evidence, proportionality and comprehensive impact assessments; emphasises that such measures must take into account differing national circumstances and must not impose disproportionate burdens on healthcare systems or consumers;

8. Underlines the importance of investment in infrastructure and innovation, while Member States must retain the ability to determine the most suitable technological solutions themselves;

9. Calls for decision-making to remain as close to citizens as possible, with a strengthened role for local and regional authorities in accordance with Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union;

10. Calls on the Commission to systematically assess the full economic impact of proposed rules on urban wastewater treatment, including cumulative compliance costs, effects on drug prices, security of supply, and municipal budgets;

11. Expects the Commission to act as a supporting and coordinating body, strictly within the limits of the Treaties and in respect of the competences of the Member States;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.