The European Parliament voted on proposed new EU rules for packaging and packaging waste on 22 November 2023. Members of Parliament voted to approve the proposal by the European Commission with amendments.

Key amendments adopted by the European Parliament include the deletion of proposed single-use bans in the HORECA sector and the removal of re-use targets for takeaway food and drinks.

“We are pleased that the version of Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation approved by the European Parliament follows the principle of respecting best environmental outcomes as it altered the original proposal of the European Commission by allowing the use of renewable and recyclable paper-based single-use packaging in the HORECA sector and by removing re-use targets for takeaway food and drinks,” says Charles Héaulmé, president and CEO of Huhtamaki.

After the European Parliament’s vote, the next step in the EU legislative process for the file is a decision by the EU Council on their position followed by final negotiations between the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council. The final version of the regulation is expected to be adopted during H1 2024 and it will come into force gradually starting from year 2026.