On October 20, 2026, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on a proposal to simplify environmental compliance requirements for businesses, including the obligation to appoint an authorized representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in each EU Member State where they sell products. Parliament backed a more targeted exemption than the European Commission originally proposed, limiting the temporary suspension to EU-based micro and small enterprises—companies employing fewer than 50 people and with annual turnover or a balance-sheet total below €10 million. It proposed suspending the requirement until 2035 or until the relevant circular-economy legislation takes effect, whichever comes first.
On October 21, the Council adopted its negotiating position on the packaging provisions. Unlike Parliament, the Council proposed basing the exemption on the quantity of packaging placed on the market in another Member State: EU-established producers could be exempted if they place less than one ton of packaging per calendar year on that market. The Council’s proposal would apply until 2032, with the European Commission required to review the duration of the suspension by the end of 2030.
The two institutions must now negotiate the final form of the legislation.