European Parliament Sets Position on Packaging, Battery and Textile Waste Rules

The European Parliament has backed a narrower suspension of a requirement that companies appoint a local compliance representative in every EU country where they sell products covered by waste rules.

Lawmakers adopted their position ahead of negotiations with EU governments on measures covering packaging, batteries, textiles, footwear, electronics and single-use plastics.

Under existing EU law, producers that place goods on the market pay fees toward the cost of collecting, sorting and recycling those products once they become waste. The system is known as extended producer responsibility, or EPR. Producers must also appoint an authorized representative for EPR compliance in each member state where they sell.

The European Commission proposed suspending the representative requirement in certain sectors to ease barriers in the single market. Parliament would limit the suspension to small and micro enterprises based in the EU, defined as those with fewer than 50 employees and annual turnover or a balance sheet below 10 million euros. It would last until 2035, or until a broader circular economy act is adopted, whichever comes first. Lawmakers said the suspension would not affect other EPR duties, such as waste prevention and fees.

To further cut red tape, Parliament also called for better information sharing among member states, interoperable digital systems and common reporting requirements for companies.

Rapporteur Ingeborg ter Laak, a Dutch member of the European People’s Party, said administrative burdens should be reduced without weakening environmental goals. She said companies must still take responsibility for their waste and that products must be properly collected and recycled, and she argued that environmental duties and economic opportunity can go together.

The position on batteries and packaging waste passed with 616 votes in favor, 9 against and 39 abstentions. The position on textile, footwear, electronic appliance and single-use plastic waste passed with 612 votes in favor, 8 against and 39 abstentions.

Talks on the final laws can begin once the Council, which represents member states, adopts its own position.

The measures, a directive and a regulation, are part of the Environmental Omnibus package. The Commission is expected to propose a comprehensive circular economy act later in 2026.