Sittings · Document
OPINION (COM(2023)0645 – C90378/2023 – 2023/0373(COD)) 2024-02-21
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Maria Spyraki
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, as the committee responsible, to take the following into account:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the pellet supply chain should comply with the relevant obligations laid down in this Regulation, however they could face proportionally higher costs and difficulties when complying with some of the obligations. The Commission should raise awareness among economic operators and carriers regarding the necessity of preventing pellet losses. Additionally, the Commission should develop training materials to assist them in fulfilling their obligations, particularly with respect to the requirements of the risk assessment. Member States should provide access to information and assistance regarding compliance with obligations and the risk assessment requirements. Regarding the assistance of Member States, this could include technical and financial support as well as specialised training to SMEs. Member States actions should be taken in respect of applicable State aid rules. | (32) As micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for an important share of the pellet supply chain, they should comply with the relevant obligations laid down in this Regulation, while taking into consideration the possible different challenges in compliance and the possible proportionally higher costs. The Commission and the competent authorities should raise awareness among economic operators and carriers regarding the necessity of preventing pellet losses. Additionally, the Commission and the competent authorities should develop training materials, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to assist economic operators and carriers in fulfilling their obligations, particularly with respect to the requirements of the risk assessment. This should be done by taking into account the non-binding Recommendation adopted by the parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR). Member States should provide access to information and assistance regarding compliance with obligations and the risk assessment requirements. Regarding the assistance of Member States, this could include technical support and specialised training to all personnel handling pellets, as well as financial support and access to finance for micro and small enterprises as well as for installations handling plastic pellets in smaller quantities. Member States actions should be taken in respect of applicable State aid rules. |
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| The Commission shall develop awareness raising and training material on the sound implementation of the obligations laid down in this Regulation in consultation with representatives of economic operators, carriers, and certifiers, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and in collaboration with competent authorities. | 1. By 6 months after the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall develop awareness raising and training material on the sound implementation of the obligations laid down in this Regulation. This shall be done by taking into account the non-binding Recommendation adopted by the parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR), in consultation with representatives of economic operators, carriers, and certifiers, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, social partners, civil society representatives, non-governmental organisations and in collaboration with competent authorities. Funds for vocational training will be made available to develop training materials, which may take the form of guides and courses, make use of a range of formats and delivery methods, and shall be designed to maximise reach and accessibility to enable effective uptake from the targeted sector. |
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Member States shall ensure that economic operators and carriers, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, get access to information and assistance regarding compliance with this Regulation. | Member States shall ensure that economic operators and carriers get access to information and assistance regarding compliance with this Regulation. |
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Without prejudice to applicable state aid rules, the assistance referred to in the first subparagraph may take the form of: | Without prejudice to applicable state aid rules, the assistance referred to in the first subparagraph for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises may take the form of: |
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point -a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| -a specialised management and staff training, including the organization of training sessions; |
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point -a a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| -a a organisational and technical assistance. |
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| In addition, without prejudice to applicable state aid rules, the assistance referred to in the first subparagraph for micro and small enterprises as well as for installations handling plastic pellets in quantities below the threshold described in article 4 para 2 may also take the form of: |
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| access to finance; | (b) access to finance, including to support the acquisition of equipment required to achieve compliance; |
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (c) specialised management and staff training; | deleted |
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point d
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (d) organisational and technical assistance. | deleted |
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Member States shall encourage training programmes for the qualification of certifiers’ personnel. | 3. Member States shall ensure the availability of training programmes for the qualification of certifiers’ personnel. |
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point d
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| the specific needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. | (d) the specific needs and structural constraints of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. |
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR THE OPINION HAS RECEIVED INPUT
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for the opinion declares that she has received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the opinion, until the adoption thereof in committee:
| Entity and/or person |
| Plastics Recyclers Europe |
| EURIC |
| EUPC |
| SURFRIDER |
| CEPI |
| European Plastics Converters |
| Plastics Europe |
| Surfrider Foundation Europe |
| Seas-at-risk |
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for the opinion.