Position paper - EU strategy for plastics: how to enable the transition to a circular economy

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) welcomes the European Commission’s launch of the work on the strategy for plastics. The Commission’s roadmap presented in January 2017 rightly identifies many of the challenges and opportunities in the re-use and recycling of plastics in Europe. Technology neutrality, sectoral approach and clear, science-based definitions will be paramount to success. Product requirements vary from one sector to another and manufacturers should retain the ability to choose the best materials. To fully reflect the benefits that plastics bring to society, the Commission should consider all stages of a product’s life, with a particular focus on the use phase.