The proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) presents a significant opportunity to improve the Single Market, align EU packaging regulations and decrease market fragmentation. If well designed, this regulation can be a crucial driver for circularity by promoting economies of scale and ensuring a climate-neutral and circular Europe. To this aim, the legislation's main priorities should be to harmonise packaging rules across the EU by simplifying labelling and sorting instructions, improving separate waste collection and promoting large-scale recycling of packaging. A comprehensive and science-based approach is essential when evaluating any proposed solutions, and it is vital for lawmakers to use impact assessments and life cycle assessments for this purpose. The table below highlights key recommendations to strengthen the proposal, which are further outlined in this paper.
Proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
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Industry calls for stable and evidence-based implementation of the Single-Use Plastic Directive
Together with nine other associations, AmCham EU has signed a joint statement on the evaluation of the Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD), calling on EU institutions to avoid reopening the Directive. A revision at this stage would create uncertainty for operators and could also increase costs and deepen fragmentation across the Single Market. Several SUPD provisions are not yet in place. Data on implementation remain limited, making it too early to assess whether the Directive is meeting its objectives. The statement also underlines the need to address gaps in transposition and enforcement. It warns against overlaps with EU legislation such as the Ecodesign Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the Circular Economy Act. Learn how the EU can support certainty and the Single Market in the joint statement.
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The Circular Economy Act: a silver bullet for harmonisation?
On Wednesday, 27 May, AmCham EU hosted Paulina Dejmek Hack, Head of Cabinet for Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, European Commission, for a discussion on the upcoming Circular Economy Act. Moderated by Luca Ibelli (Procter & Gamble), Vice-Chair, Environment Committee, AmCham EU, the exchange explored how the Act can support Europe’s wider simplification agenda by reducing fragmentation and strengthening competitiveness. Participants also discussed the importance of a harmonised framework grounded in a clear business case, ensuring circular economy policies help companies operate effectively across the Single Market.
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Revision of the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation: Following a balanced Report, trilogues must secure simplification
Today, the European Parliament adopted its Omnibus VI report, including the revision of the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, by 540 votes to 60. The outcome supports a more streamlined framework by easing the regulatory burden on value chains that rely on chemicals and sending a positive signal of the EU’s commitment to reducing unnecessary complexity.
With the Council’s position agreed in November 2025, the Parliament’s report marks the final step before trilogues, which will conclude negotiations on the targeted revision of the CLP Regulation.
The report largely aligns with the Commission’s simplification agenda and strengthens the CLP Regulation’s overall workability, especially with regards to:
Transition periods, setting 18 months following classification updates and allowing digital contact information to be updated on the label in line with suppliers’ regular update cycles. This better reflects supply chain realities.
Advertising and distance sales requirements, appropriately excluding business-to-business settings while ensuring consumers remain protected; and
Label legibility requirements, with more proportionate minimum font sizes and rules on background contrast, spacing and overall layout. However, further simplification is still needed to ensure sufficient flexibility for businesses.
While the report represents a constructive step forward, trilogues should address remaining constraints and clarify language that is currently difficult to interpret, including further simplification on font sizes and advertising requirements in business-to-consumer settings. These negotiations should draw on the more proportionate approaches of the Commission and the Council.
Maintaining a strong focus on simplification will be key to further alleviating administrative burdens and strengthening the EU’s resilience and competitiveness.
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