Circular Economy: the Commission under pressure to present a new package

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has just published its five-year report, pointing out the EU's failure to create a circular economy improving at the same time resource efficiency and protection of the environment.

The European Environment State and Outlook 2015 report aims at informing future European environmental policy in general and its implementation between 2015 and 2020 in particular. Following the recent and controversial removal of the Circular Economy package by the Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, in charge of better regulation, many observers have called for a new and more ambitious package.

The previous Circular Economy package was composed of six laws on waste, packaging, landfill, end-of-life vehicles, batteries and accumulators, and electronic equipment waste. These reforms are considered as vital for resource efficiency and companies' competitiveness. Circular economy is also a cornerstone in the EU's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Commission is therefore under pressure to present a new package in the next few months, because neither the environmental policies currently in place, nor economic efficiency gains will be sufficient.