Regulatory activities – Lead industry

Stefan Buch

The much anticipated EU Circular economy strategy was expected to be published by the Commission at end of 2015. Its goal is to create new jobs and growth opportunities by developing policy that stimulates and encourages re-using, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products. The strategy of circular Economy is to improve the efficiency of ECO management and EMAS and environmental verification system. It will support reparability, durability and recyclability of products by developing product requirements relevant to the circular economy – Eco-design work plan 2015 – 2017 and is also adopting a proposal for different fee paid by producers in Extended Producer Responsibilities schemes according to real end of life costs and recyclability. As part of the regular reviews of BREF, the Commission will include guidance on best management and resource efficiency practices for production processes. It will also clarify the definition of by-products proposed in the waste proposal to facilitate industrial symbiosis practices. Furthermore, an improved cooperation with Member States might lead to a better implementation of EU waste legislation a combat illegal shipment of end of life vehicles, revise the Waste shipment regulation. Promotion of industry-voluntary certification of treatment facilities for key waste streams/recycle streams. Regarding waste to Resource Circular Economy will boost the market for secondary raw materials develop quality standards for secondary raw materials where they are needed (in particular for plastics). The primary raw material will continue to play a role for production even in circular economy, but these materials can have detrimental environmental impact both in EU and in third countries. Unless to say from industry side, that in an economical growing “EU” world the primary production plays an – if not the most – important role in addition to the increase of recycling to stabilize the industrial need for raw material even if is primary or secondary to safeguarding jobs and competitiveness at present and in the future.