The European Parliament has voted to change the rules on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for small businesses.
MEPs want to exempt small businesses from the requirement to appoint representatives for waste legislation compliance in each member state where they sell their products.
The European Parliament has adopted the position ahead of trilogue negotiations on measures impacting waste rules on packaging, batteries, textiles, footwear, electronics, and single-use plastics.
Under current EU waste legislation, producers bringing products to the EU market pay fees that help cover the cost of collecting, sorting, and recycling them once they become waste.
The legislation mandates producers to appoint an authorised representative for EPR compliance in each member state where they sell their products.
The Commission has proposed suspending this authorised representative obligation in certain sectors to reduce barriers within the EU single market.
MEPs have now voted to exempt EU-based small and micro enterprises – fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet under €10 million –until 2035, or until a more comprehensive circular economy act is adopted.
The suspension would not affect other obligations under the EPR system, such as waste-prevention or fees.
Commenting on the vote, Rapporteur Ingeborg ter Laak (EPP, NL) said: “For European companies to be able to grow and sell , unnecessary administrative burdens should be reduced without compromising our environmental ambitions.”
“It is clear that companies should take responsibility for the waste they produce, and that products need to be collected and recycled properly.”
“We should reach these goals without creating unnecessary obstacles for the businesses we want to see succeed in Europe. We can show that environmental responsibilities can go hand in hand with economic opportunities.”
To further reduce the administrative burden on companies within the EU single market, MEPs have also called for better information exchange between member states, interoperable digital systems, and common reporting requirements for companies.
The position on waste batteries and packaging waste was supported by 616 MEPs, while 9 opposed it, and 39 abstained.
The position on textile, footwear, electronic appliance and single-use plastic waste was supported by 612 MEPs, while 8 opposed it, and 39 abstained.
From here, the European Council, which consists of the heads of government from the 27 EU member states, must adopt the same position before negotiations on the final form of the laws can begin.
