Biodegradable plastics remain high on the political and public agenda. From a potential exemption as part of the REACH microplastics restriction, to media articles on biodegradable bags still capable of carrying shopping after being exposed to the natural environment for 3 years, and France’s decision to ban plastic table ware unless it is 50% bio-based and home compostable, the debate on biodegradable plastics is going strong.
The European Commission is currently looking into options for revising the essential requirements for packaging in order to strengthen them and ensure better enforcement of these new rules.
Our training on standardisation and the environment brought together our members and experts for an interactive session in Brussels. It was the second part of a training programme following an introductory webinar.
As the current European Commission mandate comes to its end, the next Commission’s faces, roles and priorities are slowly being put in place for a slightly delayed start on 1 December. In terms of circular economy, Ursula von der Leyen has herself declared that she wants to make Europe “a world leader in circular economy and clean technologies”.
In September, ECOS joined the ISO working group on the characterisation of (micro)plastics leaked into the environment (ISO/TC 61/ SC 14/WG 4). Within this group, we will help develop principles and methods to assess and characterise (micro)plastics contamination in the environment (e.g. water) and materials.
With the aim to find synergies between the running projects, ECOS presented the status of H2020 ANTICSS project at the Ecotest project meeting on 18 October.
Simple reusable solutions to throwaway plastic cups, plates, cutlery and takeaway boxes are working across Europe – but need governments’ backing to take off and power the #ReuseRevolution.
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