After nearly two weeks of intense negotiations from 5 to 14 August 2025, the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) session in Geneva failed to deliver a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, marking a setback in the international led effort to combat plastic mismanagement across the entire lifecycle.
No Agreement Reached
Despite growing urgency, delegates were unable to reach consensus. The breakdown stemmed from a fundamental disagreement over the treaty’s scope:
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Over 100 countries, including the EU, African Union, and small island states, pushed for limits on plastic production
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Major plastic-producing nations—notably the United States, India, and Gulf states—favored a narrower focus on waste management and recycling
This divide has stalled progress since the first INC session in 2022.
Criticism of Consensus Model
The consensus-based negotiation model came under fire from civil society groups and several delegations, who argued that it allowed a small number of countries to block global action. Alternatives now being considered include:
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Majority voting mechanisms
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Treaty frameworks under the Basel Convention
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A potential “Consumers Summit” to mobilize public and market pressure
Industry Reaction
Major industry players expressed disappointment at the outcome. They warned that the lack of harmonized global regulations across the plastics lifecycle:
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Increases compliance complexity
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Raises operational costs
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Undermines investment certainty in circular solutions
These companies have previously called for clear, enforceable rules to support innovation and reduce plastic pollution.
EXPRA Statement on INC-5.2 Outcome
It is regretful that INC-5.2 in Geneva did not result in an agreement. Time is running out, and plastic mismanagement continues to increase. We fully support the call for urgent and concrete action across the entire plastic value chain, in particular within our remit by introducing and strengthening industry-led, non-profit extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems, improving waste management, and integrating circular economy principles into product design and manufacturing. At the same time, future negotiations must focus on what is realistically achievable for all parties, building consensus step by step so that ambition can be translated into action. Without this balance, we risk ending up with words instead of results. EXPRA – Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance remains committed to providing technical expertise, practical solutions, and our long experience in EPR to help transform commitments into meaningful and measurable change.
Sources and Further Reading here