EU member states last week agreed their negotiating position on parts of the "Environmental Omnibus" legislative package, but did not address the proposed suspension of the requirement for manufacturers subject to extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations to appoint authorised representatives.
The Council said its decision reflected the "strong reservations" expressed by a large majority of member states, as well as the planned review of EPR rules under the Circular Economy Act (CEA), which the European Commission is due to present this autumn. The member states had a clear preference for addressing the authorised representative issue comprehensively in the context of this incoming proposal, an EU official told EUWID.
The European Commission presented the "Omnibus VIII" package of proposals to simplify the EU's environmental legislation last December. Among other changes, it would temporarily waive the requirement that EU-based producers appoint an authorised EPR representative in member states where they market products but are not established. Producers established only in third countries would still be required to appoint an authorised representative or be subject to "alternative means" for ensuring traceability and enforcement.
The proposals cover EPR for batteries, packaging and packaged products, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and certain single-use plastic products. They also apply to footwear, textiles and textile-related products under the Waste Framework Directive (WFD)....
