Regulation on packaging and packaging waste is being tightened in the EU. The proposed changes aim is to reduce the amount of packaging and increase its recyclability. That would have a significant impact on food industry.
The European Commission published a proposal in November 2022 which includes targets for the reuse of certain types of packaging and minimum requirements for the use of recycled plastic.
The Commission’s proposals worry the Finnish food industry.
– The cost effects of these changes have not been adequately assessed in the preparation of the regulation. The eventual environmental benefits of the changes are also partly unclear, and they do not take into account the effects the packaging legislation has on food safety and food waste,” says Satumaija Levón, Director of Sustainability at the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation.
In June, experts from the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation travelled to Brussels to deliver a message from the Finnish food industry to decision-makers about the impact of changing packaging regulation.
ETL organised a breakfast event for MEPs on packaging regulation at the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Elsi Katainen. She is a shadow rapporteur to the Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture on this regulation.
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