European Parliament

Long-term EU budget rejects idea of plastics tax / Levy on packaging waste more efficient / Commission seeking new own resources / Single-use product bans still subject of environmental policy discussions

EU parliament nods off on commission's plans / Farther-reaching rules ahead

Far-reaching EU packaging directives poised for adoption / Lengthy transition periods for recycling

First EU-wide strategy on plastics / Focus on recycling / Revision of packaging directive / Framework for waste prevention / Advancing global action / Industry associations make their own recycling commitments

PlasticsEurope hails EP's rejection of full BPA food packaging ban / ECHA adds endocrine disruptor to the chemical's SVHC entry / EFSA still awaiting US study conclusion?

EU circular economy compromise presented / Lower recycling targets / European plastics industry reaffirms its contribution / PlasticsEurope sees big opportunities for resource efficiency

Tighter market rules for EU emissions trading after 2021

Use of plastics in agriculture increasing worldwide / Reaction to shortage of land area and water / Biodegradable mulch films included in EU fertilisers regulation for first time / Biopolymers and recycling associations have conflicting opinions

European Parliament's draft report on fertilising products / Potential to create distortions in mulch films market

BPA added to ECHA's SVHC list / Member State Committee unanimous

EU Medical Device Regulation adopted / Far-reaching changes for manufacturers

36 packaging value chain industry associations launch recommendations

EU commission presents its “Plastics Strategy” roadmap / Adoption this year / European Parliament opts for stricter waste legislation / 80% of packaging waste to be recycled by 2030

European manufacturers urge EU action on competitiveness / Joint declaration

EP Environment Committee targets 80% packaging waste recycling / EU Commission's original goals revived

EU Commission finally presents proposals for regulating endocrine disruptors / Trade associations critical / Forward strategy based on WHO criteria

European Parliament seeks more ambitious targets for waste sorting and recycling / Bioplastics producers pleased with proposals

UK Parliament Committee studying impact of microplastics / Greenpeace poll finds vast majority in favour of phase-out in cosmetics / British Plastics Federation concurs

Demand for polymeric applications increasing steeply throughout the world / German medical devices providers report record sales / Russian market caves in / Significant potential in ASEAN region

European Parliament draws attention to dangers of plastic microbeads in cosmetics / Bans being pursued worldwide / Report for Commission analyses the problem

EU close to classifying BPA as category 1 reprotoxin / REACH Committee approves draft

Circular economy, recycling, environment: How "green" is Europe's plastics industry? / Plastic bags and one-way cutlery under pressure / Political establishment and industry join hands to combat marine litter

Plastics organisations critical of EU's revised proposals / Waste reduction targets seen as insufficient / Landfilling will still be allowed / Recyclers call new package “light” version

ECPI urges European Commission to authorise recycling of flexible PVC containing DEHP / Expresses disappointment in European Parliament's objection

Polymer production grows by 4% in 2014 / EU 28 trade surplus widens / Turkey still most important resin buyer / PlasticsEurope recommends landfill ban to improve recycling / "Plastics – the Facts 2015"