EU, Circular Economy: Guidance for Single-Use Plastic rules
On May 31, the European Commission provided guidance on the EU rules on single-use plastics in order to reduce marine plastic litter and promote the transition to a circular economy.
The Commission Guidelines on single-use plastic products help with the interpretation and implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The Guidelines provide key definitions of the Directive and examples of products to be considered as falling within or outside its scope. Nuts are used as an example of “Foodstuffs generally suitable for immediate consumption”.
According to the Directive 2019/904, by July 3, 2021, Member States have to ensure that certain single-use plastic products (such as cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, and straws, among others) are no longer placed on the EU market. For other plastic products (such as single-use plastic bags, bottles, beverage and food containers for immediate consumption, and packets and wrappers, among others) different measures apply. These include limiting their use, reducing their consumption and preventing littering through labeling requirements, extended producer responsibility schemes (“polluter pays principle”), awareness campaigns and product design requirements.
EU, Green Deal: New Chemicals Strategy Towards a Toxic-Free Environment
On May 12, the European Commission adopted the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which paves the way towards a zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment announced in the European Green Deal. The Strategy aims to significantly increase the protection of human health and the environment from harmful chemicals, paying particular attention to vulnerable population groups.
Flagship initiatives include:
- Phasing out from consumer products the most harmful substances, such as endocrine disruptors, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), unless their use is proven essential for society.
- Minimizing and substituting as far as possible the presence of substances of concern in all products.
- Addressing the combination effect of chemicals (cocktail effect) by taking better account of the risk that is posed to human health and the environment by daily exposure to a wide mix of chemicals from different sources.
- Ensuring that producers and consumers have access to information on chemical content and safe use, by introducing information requirements in the context of the Sustainable Product Policy Initiative.
EU, Farm to Fork Strategy: Meeting Pesticide Targets
The European Commission has published the first update showing progress towards meeting the two pesticide targets under the Farm to Fork strategy: 50% reduction in the use and risk of chemical pesticides and a 50% reduction in the use of more hazardous pesticides.
There was an 8% reduction in the use and risk of chemical pesticides in the EU in 2018, and a further 5% reduction in 2019, compared to the 2015-2017 baseline period. The results indicate that the use and risk of chemical pesticides in the Member States continue to decline. In addition, there was a 12% reduction in the use of more hazardous pesticides (mainly candidates for substitution) in 2019 compared to the 2015-2017 baseline period.
Link to the report here.
EU: Certificates for Organic Products
The European Commission notified the WTO of the Draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down certain rules concerning the certificate issued to operators, groups of operators and exporters in third countries involved in the imports of organic products into the EU.
The Draft sets the model of the certificate and the provisions for its issuance. In addition, a list of control authorities and control bodies that are recognized under Article 46 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 in order to carry out controls and to issue organic certificates in third countries is established.
The WTO notification can be found here.
US: USDA Releases 90-Day Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
On May 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the 90-Day Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry. The report contains recommendations for a climate-smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) strategy, considering topics such as practices that decrease wildfire risk fueled by climate change, source sustainable bio-products and fuels, and result in conservation actions that provide measurable carbon reductions and sequestration.
Link to the Report can be found here.