Is your company obligated to comply with EU environmental legislation? We can help you stay ahead and informed
We are committed to supporting businesses by providing timely updates and expert guidance on the latest EU legislative changes. Our comprehensive International Compliance service ensures that our customers are informed and ensures they are prepared to meet their environmental obligations.
The EU has recently introduced two significant pieces of legislation aimed at improving sustainability and protecting the environment, which we have summarised below:
The PPWR proposal, published on 30 November 2022, is set to replace the 1996 Packaging Waste Directive with stricter and more uniform rules across the EU. Unlike a directive, which allows member states flexibility in implementation, this regulation will be immediately enforceable as law in all EU countries. It mandates that all packaging must be recyclable by design by 2030, with additional requirements for packaging minimisation, the use of post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging, and bans on single-use plastics and harmful substances like PFAS in food packaging.
Producers, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors, are obligated under the regulation, with foreign producers required to appoint authorised representatives within each member state. The regulation also introduces modulated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees from 2025, with further measures to increase recycling, reuse, and refill options for consumers. Provisionally approved on 4 March 2024, the regulation aims to enhance packaging sustainability and circularity, with formal approval expected by the end of 2024.
On 12 July 2023, The European Council and Parliament adopted the new Batteries Regulation, which aims to ensure the sustainability of batteries throughout their entire life cycle. The regulation, which came into effect on 28 July 2023 with the provisions applying in phases from February 2024 until August 2036, seeks to minimise the environmental and health impacts of waste batteries by promoting resource efficiency and practical waste management. It also introduces five new battery categories and shifts from the previous Batteries Directive to a uniform regulation across all EU member states, effective from 18 August 2025.
The regulation imposes obligations on producers, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors who supply in-scope batteries within the EU. Key requirements include due diligence obligations, performance and labelling standards, digital product passports by 2027, and recycling and take-back measures, with specific implementation dates varying by battery type.
We specialise in helping businesses understand and meet their legal environmental obligations across the EU, ensuring they remain compliant and environmentally responsible.
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