EXPRA Newsletter – Second Quarter 2025

As we progress through the second quarter of 2025, significant advances are shaping the future of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the circular economy across Europe.

From crucial discussions on implementing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to growing momentum behind the upcoming Circular Economy Act, this quarter has been marked by collaboration, leadership renewal, and strategic advocacy.

EXPRA proudly welcomes its new President, Hester Klein Lankhorst, as we continue to champion sustainable practices and effective EPR frameworks.
In this issue, discover key legislative updates, EXPRA’s policy recommendations, and vital insights from the latest European Commission evaluation of e-waste management.

Join us as we explore these developments driving Europe toward a greener, more circular future

The global effort to establish a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution continues, with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) resuming talks in Geneva this August, 2025. After delays caused by opposition from some producer countries, negotiations will face new political dynamics, including the stance of the recent US administration.

As expectations build for the Circular Economy Act—due by the end of 2026—EU institutions are signalling clear intentions: harmonise and digitalise Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), boost recycled materials, and simplify waste rules, including WEEE and end-of-waste criteria.

The European Commission’s Single Market Strategy, released on 21 May, identifies the top ten barriers obstructing the EU's internal market, aptly named the "Terrible Ten". Notably, fragmented rules on packaging, labelling, and waste rank among the most problematic. A...