Position paper - Cross-sectoral common principles relating to the Single Use Plastics Directive

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) supports the European Commission’s commitment to transform Europe into a more circular and resource-efficient economy. The European Strategy for Plastics laid down in January 2018 is a great opportunity for industry to develop global leadership in new technologies and materials, while embracing new business models. Plastics are widely used across all value chains, as they meet the demands of modern societies and contribute to the sustainability of products due to their innovative properties and competitive costs. However, plastics should not end up in the
wrong places and certainly not in the environment. Issues related to littering and the environment must therefore be addressed, if the material is to achieve its full potential in a circular economy.

In this context, the Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, or the ‘Single Use Plastics Directive’ aims to reduce marine litter. The Directive entered into force on 5 June 2019, and most measures should be implemented by July 2021. The European Commission is currently working to prepare guidance documents and implementation actions with the support of consultants. AmCham EU supports these efforts and is ready to contribute to achieving a clear, actionable and harmonised outcome.