MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Challenges in applying reuse targets for transport packaging in the fisheries sector – E-002857/2024(ASW)

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)[1] was adopted by the co-legislators on 16 December 2024 and has entered into force on 11 February 2025.

Paragraph 18 of Article 29 on reuse targets empowers the Commission to adopt delegated acts supplementing the reuse targets established in that Article with new exemptions, under strict legal conditions, and if this is necessary to take account of the latest scientific and economic developments.

In particular, the Commission is empowered to establish exemptions for economic operators due to particular economic constraints encountered in a sector related to the compliance with the regulation, can establish exemptions for specific packaging in case of hygiene, food safety and environmental issues, and establish exemptions for specific packaging formats, where environmental issues prevent the achievement of those targets.

With regard to Article 29(18), the Commission intends to interpret it objectively and take action when the necessity to act is demonstrated via substantiated, sound evidence.

• [1] Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC, OJ L, 2025/40, 22.1.2025.