EU Parliament debates KARL water directive amid pharma supply concerns

The European Parliament is reviewing the Kommunalabwasserrichtlinie (KARL) and has received cross‑party requests for an independent study on the directive’s cost‑impact and risks to the supply of critical medicines, especially generics. German Health Minister Nina Warken led a push for transparent cost data and a comprehensive impact assessment, gaining support from a majority of EU member states.

In parallel, proposals to introduce a “stop‑the‑clock” measure for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime have raised worries about investment uncertainty for water utilities. BDEW chief Martin Weyand argues that the pharmaceutical industry’s cost forecasts overstate EPR expenses by about 80 percent and that a new study or a delay is unnecessary, urging prompt implementation of the directive as drafted.