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-10-2026-0282
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Oliver Schenk
- Voted on · Adopted 294–245–28 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2026/2652
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026
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This resolution concerns the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and its impact on medicine supply. It calls for a new study, a temporary suspension of certain EPR provisions, and possible revisions to the directive.¶¶¶
Key points
- Reaffirms support for the environmental objectives of Directive (EU) 2024/3019, including reducing water pollution and micropollutants.¶
- Stresses that implementation should safeguard public health, access to medicines, industrial competitiveness, and social cohesion.¶
- Expresses concern that updated cost estimates for quaternary treatment exceed original projections and that municipalities and wastewater operators may face financial burdens.¶¶
- Calls for a comprehensive assessment of the financing framework, including impacts on local authorities, public budgets, and consumers.¶
- Questions the methodology for pollution attribution and cost allocation, and notes that existing assessments do not address effects on medicine availability, employment, and investment.¶¶
- Supports the polluter pays principle and the EPR scheme, but expresses concern that the current design may reduce medicine availability, investment, and employment, and cause production relocations.¶¶
- Calls on the Commission to commission a new independent study by early 2027 covering costs, impacts on municipalities, medicine accessibility, employment, and pollution attribution.¶
- Calls for a temporary suspension of EPR provisions (Articles 9 and 10) until the study is completed and assessed.¶
- Requests legislative proposals to revise the EPR framework if the study shows shortcomings, ensuring coherence with public health and competitiveness.¶
- Calls for a level playing field between EU and non-EU manufacturers, a proportionate approach to cost allocation, and complementary financing mechanisms.¶¶¶
- Calls for a permanent multi-stakeholder platform and stronger coordination between environmental, health, industrial, and competitiveness policies.¶¶
- Calls on the Commission to monitor effects on medicine availability and report regularly, and supports research into sustainable pharmaceuticals and wastewater technologies.¶¶