Apeal welcomes formal adoption by European Parliament of the CEP
Following extensive negotiations, Apeal (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) has welcomed the formal adoption by the European Parliament (EP) of the Circular Economy Package (CEP).
Alexis Van Maercke, secretary general of Apeal, said: “Whilst the final formal endorsement will take place 22-23 May by the ministers at council level, the adoption of the CEP today in Strasbourg is an important milestone, a highlight of the current mandate. Once the CEP is implemented by 2020 in the member states, it will bring numerous benefits for the environment, businesses and consumers.
“We believe the EU-institutions have provided strong foundations upon which the member states can build even if important follow-up work still needs to be done in the next two years. Apeal is committed to work with the European Commission and all stakeholders to make the new legislation a success.”
Apeal is said to be particularly pleased that the EP has endorsed the concept of “multiple recycling” in the final text. Through multiple recycling, products and packaging made from permanent materials, such as steel, are kept in the material loop and can become resources for other products and packaging.
Apeal also welcomes the maintaining of the ‘internal market’ legal base of the PPWD in order to safeguard the internal market and the free circulation of packaging and packaged goods.
According to the Association, even if the agreed recycling targets for all materials are an important step forward, it remains disappointed that during the final Trilogue (December 2017) a flexibility mechanism for member states was introduced allowing them to perform lower in one or two packaging materials of their choice.
