Waste / EPR: MEPs back simpler rules for SMEs by a large majority

The European Parliament has adopted its position ahead of trilogue negotiations on measures impacting waste rules on packaging, batteries, textiles, footwear, electronics, and single-use plastics, during a plenary held in Strasbourg on 20 October 2026. It confirmed the position adopted by the ENVI Committee on 6 October.

In details:
• The position on waste batteries and packaging waste was supported by 616 MEPs, while 9 opposed it, and 39 abstained.
• The position on textile, footwear, electronic appliance, and single-use plastic waste was supported by 612 MEPs, while 8 opposed it, and 39 abstained.

While the Commission proposed “a complete suspension of authorised representative obligations for extended producer responsibility (EPR) until 2035”, MEPs backed a “more temporary targeted…