Closing the loop – An EU action plan for the Circular Economy

ENVE-VI/011
Adopted

Closing the loop – An EU action plan for the Circular Economy

 Adoption: 12/10/2016
 Theme: Environment and climate change
Commission: Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE-VI)
Reinforce cooperation with the EU Institutions and key European associations of local and regional authorities in the field, whilst achieving a substantial uptake of the recommendations of the Committee of the Regions' opinion - by the European Commission in its implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Council conclusions, and in any potential future European Parliament Resolution calls for ambitious legislative provisions, which should be accompanied by supporting measures and innovative approaches, for example Top-Runner, in order to promote the circular economy; regrets that education and awareness-raising unfortunately do not feature in the action plan and calls on the European Commission to develop those aspects with the Member States, local and regional authorities and other partners; stresses that a thorough revision of the ecodesign provisions is necessary and that the setting of product- and sector-specific ecodesign requirements should be examined; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to tax the use of primary raw materials at a higher rate than the use of secondary raw materials, substances and components. The VAT Directive may need to be revised so as not to prevent differentiation in VAT rates to this end; calls with a view to future changes to the EU legal framework that entered into force in 2016 for the mandatory consideration of GPP in public procurement procedures if they are above the threshold for an EU-wide call for tender, and for projects which are financed with public funds; GPP should be implemented as part of every EU funding programme and Directive 2014/24/EU be revised, so that sustainable, resource-efficient products and solutions are given preference, with mandatory justification if they are rejected; stresses that littering and plastic leaching must be given consideration in the strategy on plastics in the circular economy announced for 2017, including setting clear targets; and believes that a comprehensive assessment of the construction industry is essential, because of the scale of this sector's waste and its increasingly complex composition, and the lack of common objectives, indicators and data.
The Opinion substantially increased the profile and inter-institutional visibility of the CoR in the field of circular economy, which represents one of the four key priority areas for the ENVE Commission. In particular, this included the ENVE Commission thematic priority *debate with Environment Commissioner Vella, EP rapporteur Bonafe, and the Netherlands' EU Presidency * held on 21 April 2016 on the subject; the participation of Mr Peltomäki, Deputy Director General DG GROW in the ENVE Commission; the participation of the rapporteur in an event at the EP in April 2016, hosted by MEP Dalli, Chair of the Circular Economy Subgroup of the EP Intergroup "Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development"; the ENVE commission study visit in June 2016 on circular economy to Copenhagen and Nordsjælland, Denmark, with participation of the rapporteur, and the moderation by the rapporteur of the EWRC workshop on 12 October 2016 "EU LIFE programme: A chance for green business, innovation and job creation preserving the environment", which included a session on the circular economy. The European Commission Eco-design Working Plan 2016-2019, adopted on 30 November 2016. In line with the CoR opinion, it foresees that the European Commission during upcoming reviews of existing Eco-design and Energy Labelling implementing measures examine how aspects relevant to the circular economy, such as resource efficiency, reparability, recyclability and durability can be assessed and taken on board when revising the existing measures. The CoR rapporteur held on 7 December 2016 a meeting with a Member of Cabinet of Vice-President Katainen, who coordinates the implementation of the European Commission Action Plan. At the meeting, it was successfully agreed that the European Commission will regularly attend the CoR ENVE Commission to report on progress on the European Commission Action Plan. The ENVE Commission conference "Waste legislation review - regions & cities for a circular economy" on 31 January 2017 will be an important first step in this regard. Further impacts of the opinion remain to be seen once the European Commission adopts further individual initiatives as announced by the Action Plan, and on which the CoR opinions provides with specific recommendations.
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS: - calls for ambitious legislative provisions, which should be accompanied by supporting measures and innovative approaches, for example Top-Runner, in order to promote the circular economy; - regrets that education and awareness-raising unfortunately do not feature in the action plan and calls on the European Commission to develop those aspects with the Member States, local and regional authorities and other partners; - stresses that a thorough revision of the ecodesign provisions is necessary and that the setting of product- and sector-specific ecodesign requirements should be examined; - calls on the European Commission and the Member States to tax the use of primary raw materials at a higher rate than the use of secondary raw materials, substances and components. The VAT Directive may need to be revised so as not to prevent differentiation in VAT rates to this end; - calls with a view to future changes to the EU legal framework that entered into force in 2016 for the mandatory consideration of GPP in public procurement procedures if they are above the threshold for an EU-wide call for tender, and for projects which are financed with public funds; GPP should be implemented as part of every EU funding programme and Directive 2014/24/EU be revised, so that sustainable, resource-efficient products and solutions are given preference, with mandatory justification if they are rejected; - stresses that littering and plastic leaching must be given consideration in the strategy on plastics in the circular economy announced for 2017, including setting clear targets; and believes that a comprehensive assessment of the construction industry is essential, because of the scale of this sector's waste and its increasingly complex composition, and the lack of common objectives, indicators and data.
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