On the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and risks to the security of supply of medicines
B-10-2026-0280
on behalf of the PfE Group · Rapporteur: Ondřej Knotek, Mathilde Androuët, MarieLuce BrasierClain, Viktória Ferenc, AnneSophie Frigout, Jana Nagyová, Valérie Deloge
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This resolution expresses concern that the extended producer responsibility scheme under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive places a disproportionate financial burden on pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors, risking medicine supply. It calls on the Commission to suspend Articles 9 and 10 and propose amendments after a new impact assessment.¶¶¶
Key points
- Expresses concern that the current EPR system places a disproportionate financial burden on pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, risking supply, availability and affordability of products.¶
- Underlines that available industry data suggests additional costs for cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors may have been significantly underestimated.¶
- Stresses the importance of subsidiarity, ensuring Member States retain flexibility to implement efficient wastewater management solutions.¶
- Calls on the Commission to carry out a new comprehensive and independent impact assessment reflecting proportionality and non-discrimination, including accurate sectoral contribution estimates.¶
- Calls on the Commission to ensure UWWTD implementation does not undermine availability, affordability and supply security of medicinal products in the EU.¶
- Calls on the Commission to suspend application of Articles 9 and 10 of the UWWTD and present a proposal to amend those provisions after the impact assessment.¶
Who is affected
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, which face costs under the EPR scheme and potential market withdrawals.¶¶
- Member States, which need flexibility in implementing wastewater treatment solutions.¶
- Patients and consumers, who may face reduced availability and affordability of medicinal and cosmetics products.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 80 % of quaternary treatment costs to be covered by pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors under EPR.¶
Legal basis: Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶