European Parliament

Revised EU paper leaked / Broad brush across proposals to be presented by year's end

Polish plastics processors' association founds new working group to realise EU guideline / Calls for bag fee

EU Parliament plenary session approves circular economy resolution / Binding rules for waste disposal and recycling / Bioplastics producers welcome package design proposal

EU to restrict formamide in Toy Safety Directive update / US toymakers call for uniform rules

Restriction of lightweight bags passes European Parliament / Charges from end of 2018 / Commission expects cost savings of EUR 740m per year / EuPC “disappointed”

Part 4 – Regulations: Regulatory moves keep the industry on its toes again in 2014 / Restrictions on plastic bags dominate the discussion / BPA and phthalates still a topic / Flame retardant issues still smoulder / Recycling guidelines make headway

EU guideline calls for gradual reduction in consumption up to 2025 / EuPC highlights problems from internal market perspective, warns of job losses / PlasticsEurope fears trade barriers, calls for regulation of “oxo-degradable” plastics

OPA discredits Italian statement on oxo-biodegradable plastics and bag charges / Call for objective technical assessment by Commission

European Commission adopts new waste proposals / Landfill of recyclable waste to be banned by 2025 / 80% packaging waste recycling target set for 2030 / Mixed response by European plastics associations

“Reasonable” estimate sees 4.4 bn barrels of shale oil under southern England / Geological survey finds no significant gas potential / New financial incentives for local communities

European parliament approves legislation on lightweight carrier bags / Latest legal hurdle mounted / Decision welcomed by European Bioplastics and Novamont

EuPC dismisses “nonsensical provisions” on biodegradable and compostable plastics contained in European Parliament's proposal to reduce plastic bag usage

Europe continues to make progress in recovery and recycling / Some 64% of material placed on the market is recycled / Europen report

European parliament's Environment Committee signs off on draft rules to reduce plastic bag consumption by 80% by 2019 / Recommends replacing traditional bags with biodegradable and compostable ones

Biodegradable bags a threat to the environment, says PRE / Problems in the waste stream

EuPC welcomes “Prodi report” on European plastic waste strategy / Dangis expresses concern about end-of-life solutions for bioplastics

Plastics Recyclers Europe welcomes EU parliament's adoption of the “European Strategy on plastic waste”

EU Parliament calls for a ban on the most hazardous plastics by 2020 / Stricter and more effective enforcement neccesary / German reaction mixed

EuPC establishes MedPharmPlast Europe sector group

British Plastics Federation welcomes government committee's support towards exploring UK shale gas reserves / Ineos considers role in future UK extraction

Plastics Recyclers Europe association confirms growing European recycling rates / Now numbering more than 100 members

European Commission proposal to reduce lightweight bag consumption in all 28 member states / Average European citizen uses 198 plastic bags annually

EuPC elects new steering committee members / Discussions on industry concerns / Confirms priorities for Europe

European parliament rejects shale gas ban / “Robust rules” for fracking urged

Europen appoints new Managing Director