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Briefing
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
22-25 April 2024
Main topics under discussion and vote
Preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution
This debate, in which the Commission will participate, will take place on Monday to discuss the Commission Proposal and the EP Report tabled by MEP João Albuquerque for ENVI committee.
Debate on Monday at 17:30
Vote on .....
Debate on Monday at 17:30
Vote on .....
The Regulation defines obligations for handling plastic pellets to prevent environmental losses, applicable to all economic operators involved in handling over five tonnes per year within the EU, including both EU and non-EU carriers transporting these pellets.
General Obligations and Requirements: From the regulation's inception, there is a mandatory obligation for all relevant parties to prevent pellet losses. Detailed compliance measures, based on the Operation Clean Sweep® program and OSPAR recommendations, must be implemented within 18 months.
These include:
Specific Provisions for SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have lighter requirements, such as self-declaration without the need for third-party certification and no mandatory internal assessments.
Additional Requirements: Economic operators and carriers must prioritize prevention, containment, and cleanup in that order to manage spills. Medium-sized enterprises have extended periods before requiring certification compared to larger companies.
This regulation aims to enhance environmental protection by establishing robust mechanisms for managing and minimizing plastic pellet losses across the supply chain.
General Obligations and Requirements: From the regulation's inception, there is a mandatory obligation for all relevant parties to prevent pellet losses. Detailed compliance measures, based on the Operation Clean Sweep® program and OSPAR recommendations, must be implemented within 18 months.
These include:
- Establishing and maintaining a risk assessment plan.
- Submitting a self-declaration of conformity to competent authorities.
- Implementing specific actions for carriers as detailed in annexes.
- Training staff and maintaining records of actions and pellet losses.
- Conducting internal assessments for operations handling over 1000 tonnes per year, with certification required for medium and large enterprises.
Specific Provisions for SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have lighter requirements, such as self-declaration without the need for third-party certification and no mandatory internal assessments.
Additional Requirements: Economic operators and carriers must prioritize prevention, containment, and cleanup in that order to manage spills. Medium-sized enterprises have extended periods before requiring certification compared to larger companies.
This regulation aims to enhance environmental protection by establishing robust mechanisms for managing and minimizing plastic pellet losses across the supply chain.
Consumer Goods Repair
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This Directive aims to improve the internal market by setting common rules to promote the repair of consumer goods, enhancing both environmental and consumer protection. It applies to the repair of goods purchased by consumers where defects occur outside the seller's liability period.
Key Provisions:
- European Repair Information Form (Article 4): Repairers must provide a standardized form detailing key information about their services to help consumers compare options.
- Obligation to Repair (Article 5): Producers are required to repair defects that fall outside the seller’s liability, with reparability criteria established by EU legal acts. This includes ensuring the availability of spare parts and disassembly information.
- Information on Repair Obligations (Article 6): Producers must inform consumers about their repair obligations and available services.
- Online Platform for Repair Services (Article 7): Member States must set up online platforms to connect consumers with repair services, enhancing visibility and access to repair options.
Amendment to Sales of Goods Directive (Article 12): This directive modifies existing rules to favor repair over replacement in cases where the costs are comparable, encouraging more sustainable consumer behaviors and supporting the circular economy.
The directive emphasizes the importance of repairability in consumer products, aligning with environmental objectives and promoting sustainable consumption.
Debate on Monday at 18:30
Vote on a Report for a Proposal for a Directive on Tuesday
Net Zero Industry Act
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Content of the Regulation Chapter I – Objectives, Scope, and Definitions: The regulation outlines the aim to increase the EU's manufacturing capacity for strategic net-zero technologies to at least 40% of the Union's annual deployment needs by 2030. This target underscores the EU's ambition for high resilience and flexibility in its energy system. The regulation is broad, covering more than the five technologies mentioned in Recital 16, and recognizes the need for scaled-up manufacturing of both end-products and essential components like solar cells and battery anodes/cathodes. Chapter II – Enabling Conditions for Manufacturing: Streamlined permitting processes for net-zero technology projects are established. Member States will appoint national authorities to act as single points of contact to facilitate permitting, ensuring digital accessibility and public transparency of information. The regulation aligns with existing EU directives and proposes faster permitting without compromising environmental standards. Chapter III – CO2 Injection Capacity: A Union-wide objective to achieve an annual CO2 injection capacity of 50Mt by 2030 is set. The chapter outlines measures to integrate CO2 storage services into the EU market, supporting large-scale CO2 emitters in decarbonizing their operations. Strategic projects for CO2 storage within the EU will receive support to become operational by 2030. |
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Chapter IV – Market Access: This chapter focuses on accelerating market access for net-zero technologies through public procurement and other forms of public support that align with sustainability and resilience criteria.
Chapter V – Skills Enhancement: The regulation proposes the creation of specialized European skills Academies to address current and projected skills shortages in net-zero technology sectors. These academies will collaborate with Member States, industry, and educational institutions to reskill and upskill workers, targeting specific needs within the net-zero technology industries.
Chapter VI – Innovation: Regulatory sandboxes will be introduced to test innovative net-zero technologies in a controlled environment for a limited period, supporting the EU's goals for climate neutrality and energy system resilience.
Chapter VII – Governance: The establishment of the Net-Zero Europe Platform is outlined to coordinate actions across the EU, involving the Commission and Member States in discussions, information exchange, and best practice sharing. The platform will support various regulatory functions and facilitate cross-country industrial collaboration.
Chapter VIII – Monitoring: Provisions are included to monitor the supply chains and progress towards the objectives of increasing manufacturing capacity and achieving the CO2 storage target, ensuring compliance and effectiveness of the regulation.
Chapter IX – Final Provisions: Details on the delegation of power, amendments to other EU acts, and obligations for the Commission to report on the regulation's evaluation are provided. This chapter also specifies the regulation’s enactment and application timelines.
Annex – Strategic Net-Zero Technologies: Technologies listed in the Annex are selected based on readiness, contribution to decarbonization, competitiveness, and security of supply. This includes technologies that are not only critical for achieving climate targets but also for enhancing the EU’s technological and industrial resilience.
The proposal emphasizes the strategic scaling of net-zero technologies within the EU, balancing ambitious environmental targets with economic and industrial growth, ensuring Europe's competitive stance in the global transition to sustainable energy.
Chapter V – Skills Enhancement: The regulation proposes the creation of specialized European skills Academies to address current and projected skills shortages in net-zero technology sectors. These academies will collaborate with Member States, industry, and educational institutions to reskill and upskill workers, targeting specific needs within the net-zero technology industries.
Chapter VI – Innovation: Regulatory sandboxes will be introduced to test innovative net-zero technologies in a controlled environment for a limited period, supporting the EU's goals for climate neutrality and energy system resilience.
Chapter VII – Governance: The establishment of the Net-Zero Europe Platform is outlined to coordinate actions across the EU, involving the Commission and Member States in discussions, information exchange, and best practice sharing. The platform will support various regulatory functions and facilitate cross-country industrial collaboration.
Chapter VIII – Monitoring: Provisions are included to monitor the supply chains and progress towards the objectives of increasing manufacturing capacity and achieving the CO2 storage target, ensuring compliance and effectiveness of the regulation.
Chapter IX – Final Provisions: Details on the delegation of power, amendments to other EU acts, and obligations for the Commission to report on the regulation's evaluation are provided. This chapter also specifies the regulation’s enactment and application timelines.
Annex – Strategic Net-Zero Technologies: Technologies listed in the Annex are selected based on readiness, contribution to decarbonization, competitiveness, and security of supply. This includes technologies that are not only critical for achieving climate targets but also for enhancing the EU’s technological and industrial resilience.
The proposal emphasizes the strategic scaling of net-zero technologies within the EU, balancing ambitious environmental targets with economic and industrial growth, ensuring Europe's competitive stance in the global transition to sustainable energy.
Ecodesign
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The main objectives of this Regulation are to reduce the negative life cycle environmental impacts of products and improve the functioning of the internal market. These objectives seek to resolve the problems and their causes analysed in the impact assessment. They reflect the fact that products are available on the internal market that generate unnecessary adverse environmental impacts. This Regulation also contributes to the objectives of EU industrial policy to boost the supply of and demand for sustainable goods, deliver on sustainable production, and ensure a level playing field for products sold on the internal market. Industry needs harmonised requirements applicable across the board, efficient means to comply with them, proper enforcement, reinforced market surveillance and customs controls based on a risk analysis. This Regulation gives offer just a guideline on EU Ecodesign and charge the EU Commission to adopt all necessary Delegated Acts to establish ecodesign requirements. |
Chapter I - Free Movement: The regulation ensures that products complying with the ecodesign requirements specified in the delegated acts adopted under Article 4 can be freely marketed and put into service across EU Member States. Member States are prohibited from imposing restrictions based on non-compliance with national performance or information requirements if these are already covered by the ecodesign delegated acts.
However, this does not prevent Member States from setting their own minimum energy performance standards as long as these are in line with Article 4(1) and system requirements according to Article 8 of Directive 2010/31/EU. Products that do not meet the delegated act requirements can still be displayed at trade fairs and similar events, provided they are clearly marked as non-compliant and not for sale until they conform.
Chapter II - Ecodesign Requirements (Article 4): The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to establish ecodesign requirements aimed at enhancing the environmental sustainability of products. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, aspects such as durability, energy efficiency, and the presence of substances of concern. The specific ecodesign requirements will be detailed in the delegated acts, which also dictate the necessary conformity assessment procedures. These acts can further impose obligations on manufacturers, such as making technical documentation digitally available to the Commission or market surveillance authorities, and reporting on the quantities of products marketed.
Additional requirements from these acts may include:
The delegated acts also have the potential to influence Member States' incentives and requirements applicable to public contracts concerning product parameters, ensuring these align with ecodesign principles.
Overall Implications: This regulation not only facilitates the free movement of compliant products across the EU but also underscores the Union's commitment to environmental sustainability through stringent ecodesign requirements. It balances the need for uniformity in market regulations with the flexibility for Member States to maintain higher standards in certain areas, thus promoting innovation and higher environmental performance across the board. The regulation plays a crucial role in reducing environmental impact through product life cycles, fostering a market that values durability, efficiency, and minimal environmental footprint.
Vote on a Report on Tuesday
However, this does not prevent Member States from setting their own minimum energy performance standards as long as these are in line with Article 4(1) and system requirements according to Article 8 of Directive 2010/31/EU. Products that do not meet the delegated act requirements can still be displayed at trade fairs and similar events, provided they are clearly marked as non-compliant and not for sale until they conform.
Chapter II - Ecodesign Requirements (Article 4): The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to establish ecodesign requirements aimed at enhancing the environmental sustainability of products. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, aspects such as durability, energy efficiency, and the presence of substances of concern. The specific ecodesign requirements will be detailed in the delegated acts, which also dictate the necessary conformity assessment procedures. These acts can further impose obligations on manufacturers, such as making technical documentation digitally available to the Commission or market surveillance authorities, and reporting on the quantities of products marketed.
Additional requirements from these acts may include:
- Mandatory measures for products to measure their energy consumption or performance during use.
- Obligations for manufacturers to collect and anonymize in-use data.
- Utilization of online tools for calculating product performance.
- Specific rules on the declaration of conformity and markings that indicate conformity with ecodesign requirements.
The delegated acts also have the potential to influence Member States' incentives and requirements applicable to public contracts concerning product parameters, ensuring these align with ecodesign principles.
Overall Implications: This regulation not only facilitates the free movement of compliant products across the EU but also underscores the Union's commitment to environmental sustainability through stringent ecodesign requirements. It balances the need for uniformity in market regulations with the flexibility for Member States to maintain higher standards in certain areas, thus promoting innovation and higher environmental performance across the board. The regulation plays a crucial role in reducing environmental impact through product life cycles, fostering a market that values durability, efficiency, and minimal environmental footprint.
Vote on a Report on Tuesday
Trans-European transport network
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The revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is guided by four primary objectives designed to enhance the EU's transport infrastructure significantly by 2050:
Future Vision and Implementation: The revised TEN-T policy aims to build a reliable, seamless, and high-quality transport network across Europe, ensuring sustainable connectivity without physical gaps, bottlenecks, or missing links by 2050. This network is intended to bolster the functioning of the internal market, contribute to the economic, social, and territorial cohesion of the EU, and align with the objectives of the European Green Deal. The development of this network is planned in stages, with key milestones set for 2030 and 2040, paving the way for its completion in 2050.
Vote on Wednesday
- Enhancing Environmental Sustainability:
- Goal: To make transport greener by developing infrastructure that alleviates congestion and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in air and water.
- Strategy: Focus on increasing the efficiency of all transport modes and boosting the share of rail, short sea shipping, and inland waterways. This shift aims to establish a more sustainable modal composition in the transport system and reduce its negative externalities.
- Seamless and Efficient Transport:
- Goal: To facilitate seamless and efficient transport across the EU by fostering multimodality and interoperability among different transport modes.
- Strategy: Integrate urban nodes more effectively into the network, remove bottlenecks, and address missing links. Improving these areas will contribute to the completion of the internal market and enhance the overall efficiency of the European transport system.
- Increasing Resilience:
- Goal: To augment the resilience of the TEN-T against climate change and other potential natural or human-made hazards.
- Strategy: Ensure that the network can withstand the adverse impacts of climate change to protect public investments and maintain their usability under changing climate conditions. This includes integrating greenhouse gas emission costs in cost-benefit analyses to support climate neutrality.
- Improving Governance and Efficiency:
- Goal: To enhance the governance tools of the TEN-T, streamline reporting and monitoring instruments, and review the network design.
- Strategy: Optimize the efficiency of processes and governance structures to better manage and develop the network.
Future Vision and Implementation: The revised TEN-T policy aims to build a reliable, seamless, and high-quality transport network across Europe, ensuring sustainable connectivity without physical gaps, bottlenecks, or missing links by 2050. This network is intended to bolster the functioning of the internal market, contribute to the economic, social, and territorial cohesion of the EU, and align with the objectives of the European Green Deal. The development of this network is planned in stages, with key milestones set for 2030 and 2040, paving the way for its completion in 2050.
Vote on Wednesday
Packaging and packaging waste
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The legislative proposal aims to update the EU's regulatory framework for packaging and packaging waste. It addresses the increasing amount of packaging waste, which is growing faster than GDP, with a 20% increase over the last decade and an expected 19% rise by 2030 if unchecked. The proposal seeks to replace the current directive with a regulation to ensure uniformity and reduce legal uncertainties that hinder investment in innovative and environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
The Regulation is designed to:
Legislative Process: The European Parliament and the Council will co-decide on the proposal under the ordinary legislative procedure, reflecting its significant impact on the EU's internal market and environmental policy.
Vote on Proposal for a Regulation
The Regulation is designed to:
- Make transport and packaging more sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
- Facilitate seamless and efficient transport across the EU, enhancing multimodality and interoperability.
- Increase the resilience of transport networks to climate change and other risks.
- Improve the efficiency of TEN-T governance tools and streamline reporting and monitoring processes.
- Sustainability Requirements: Introduces strict controls on harmful substances in packaging, such as lead and mercury. From 2030, plastic packaging must contain a minimum amount of recycled content, with specific exemptions and increasing requirements by 2040. The regulation also sets standards for compostable packaging materials, including specific items like coffee pods and fruit labels.
- Labelling and Information Requirements: Packaging will need to be clearly labeled to show material composition to aid consumer sorting and recycling efforts. Labels will also inform consumers about the recycled content in plastic packaging, and reusable packaging will feature QR codes or similar data carriers.
- Space Efficiency: Packaging used in grouped, transport, or e-commerce settings must limit empty space to a maximum of 40% relative to the packaged products.
- Waste Reduction Targets: Member States are mandated to reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040 relative to 2018 levels.
- Deposit and Return Systems (DRS): A system for single-use plastic and metal beverage containers is to be established, with all DRS meeting minimum requirements by 2029. Member States may include glass in these systems.
- Recycling Targets: Sets specific recycling targets that Member States must achieve by 2025 and 2030.
Legislative Process: The European Parliament and the Council will co-decide on the proposal under the ordinary legislative procedure, reflecting its significant impact on the EU's internal market and environmental policy.
Vote on Proposal for a Regulation
Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe
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The proposal seeks to merge the current Ambient Air Quality Directives (2008/50/EC and 2004/107/EC) to consolidate and simplify EU legislation on air quality.
This initiative aims to rectify regulatory inconsistencies across Member States that hinder the internal market for packaging, create legal uncertainty, and dampen investment in environmentally friendly packaging innovations. It aligns with the EU’s goal for a zero-pollution air quality by 2050.
Vote of a Report with the interinstitutional agreement.
This initiative aims to rectify regulatory inconsistencies across Member States that hinder the internal market for packaging, create legal uncertainty, and dampen investment in environmentally friendly packaging innovations. It aligns with the EU’s goal for a zero-pollution air quality by 2050.
Vote of a Report with the interinstitutional agreement.
