European Parliament to review EU packaging rules impacting SMEs

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has acknowledged that new European Union packaging rules are creating excessive and counterproductive burdens for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Speaking at the Rimini Meeting in Italy, Metsola announced that the European Parliament will attempt to amend controversial provisions of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in the coming weeks.

The regulation, which saw parts of its application begin on August 12, introduces new rules regarding the production, composition, recyclability, and reuse of packaging, as well as waste management. Member states are required to reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040, compared to 2018 levels.

Significant dissatisfaction has arisen regarding extended producer responsibility obligations. Companies selling products within the EU must now register in national producer registries and, in certain cases, appoint authorized representatives in every country where they operate. Hundreds of micro-enterprises have warned that compliance costs are disproportionately high relative to their turnover, with some small traders and producers already announcing they will cease supplying customers in certain EU member states. A petition seeking rule changes has gathered over 70,000 signatures.