Alexander Röder, Climate & Production Director of Plastics Europe, said:
Plastics Europe welcomes the adoption of the General Approach by the Council on pellet loss prevention measures, a critical step toward enhancing environmental protection and prompting a more sustainable plastics industry in Europe.
We believe that the revisions sought by the Council in Annex I, which sets out obligations for the handling of plastic pellets along the supply chain are a pragmatic and effective way to prevent pellet losses. They also recognise the diversity of pellet handling activities in Europe and the need for tailored measures to prevent pellet losses whilst enabling delivery of impactful change.
We also strongly support the inclusion of mandatory binding measures for the maritime shipment of pellets. These measures, aligned with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recommendations, are a necessary and practical way to reduce pellet loss at sea. The addition of a review clause further strengthens the proposed legislation, ensuring continuous evaluation and enabling improvements to these measures as new insights emerge.
Plastics Europe calls for prompt engagement by the Polish Council Presidency on this file and the start of interinstitutional negotiations early in the new year. Promptly undertaking these negotiations is vital to deliver a robust, ambitious and workable regulatory framework. One that enhances environmental protection and brings regulatory certainty for European industry.