On October 16, EXPRA had the privilege of sponsoring and participating in the 42nd EIC Conference titled “Excellence in Compliance: Competition Law and the Circular Economy.”
This significant gathering brought together key stakeholders to discuss the implications of European legislation on sustainability initiatives, focusing on the tensions that can arise between competition law and sustainability goals.
EXPRA was featured in Panel 2, which concentrated on “Implementing European Legislation amid the Tensions between Sustainability and Competition Law.” This panel addressed the essential role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in fostering collaboration across the entire value chain, engaging various stakeholders in the process. However, this collaboration also raises critical questions about structuring systems that balance compliance with competition regulations while pursuing sustainability objectives.
During the panel discussion, practitioners shared valuable insights on how their respective countries have navigated these challenges. The session was expertly moderated by Joachim Quoden, Managing Director of EXPRA, who guided a distinguished group of speakers, including:
- Srečko Bukovec, Procurator, SLOPAK
- Dr. Alexander Dröge, Secretary General, Foundation Central Agency Packaging Register (Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister, ZSVR)
- Aleš Rod, Executive Director, CETA
- Edoardo Croci, Professor of Practice, Università Bocconi
The discussions were not only enlightening but also essential for understanding how different jurisdictions approach the complex interplay between sustainability and competition law.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their insightful contributions. A special acknowledgment goes to our Board Member EKO KOM (Czech Republic) and SLOPAK (Slovenia) for featuring as speakers in this important conference. We also want to thank the active engagement of our Board EXPRA members, including Ecoembes (Spain), Fostplus(Belgium), Verpact (The Netherlands), CONAI (Italy), and Green Dot Norway (Norway). This panel discussion took place alongside the inaugural conference hosted in Brussels by the Swiss Association for Compliance and Competition Law (ACCL). We were honored to have Belgian Secretary of State Alexia Bertrand deliver the keynote address, setting the stage for a rich dialogue on these critical issues.
We thank everyone involved for their contributions and look forward to continuing these important conversations!