Public Consultations
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) received a request for a scientific opinion to be considered by the European Commission in the future development of guidelines on the implementation of point 2 of Annex V of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste that focusses on phasing out the single use plastic packaging for less than 1.5 kg prepacked fresh fruit and vegetables.
To ensure a comprehensive assessment, EFSA launches a public call for data from interested parties. In particular, EFSA is looking for information on
- the most common way of offering fresh unprocessed FVH commodities and the reasons for portion packaging
- the main plastic and/or alternative packaging systems used for portions of less than 1.5 kg of unprocessed fresh FVH commodities
- the potential limitations or drawbacks of alternative packaging material in comparison to plastic packaging in terms of the microbiological quality and/or safety of the selected commodities
- the handling practices across the supply chain when shifting to bulk or alternative packaging to ensure microbial safety/quality and/or to protect them from mechanical damage
- the microbiological hazards and spoilage microorganisms that are most relevant for the safety and quality of the selected fresh unprocessed FVH commodities and the factors influencing microbiological contamination or growth
- Call for data available here.
- EU Survey platform accessible here.
The Commission will assess Member States’ progress towards the attainment of the targets for packaging waste reduction, for municipal waste preparing for re-use and recycling and for packaging waste recycling, the different packaging material recycling targets and food waste reduction targets by 2030. It will also assess the progress towards the 2035 target for the landfill of municipal waste. It will also identify Member States at risk of not meeting these targets and provide them with recommendations to improve their performance.
Have your say portal link available here.
This initiative aims to harmonise parts of extended producer responsibility schemes for packaging in EU countries. It sets out rules on the requirement for EU countries to establish a register of producers and the obligation on producers to report to their national schemes.
Have your say portal link available here.
These harmonised standards will support the implementation of sustainability requirements for compostable packaging under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The Regulation requires that certain packaging formats be designed for composting and others for material recycling.
To ensure packaging complies with technical requirements allowing for environmentally sound composting, the existing standard (EN 13432:2000) must be updated and a new standard on home compostability developed.
Have your say portal link available here.
COMMISSION DELEGATED DECISION (EU) …/… on supplementing Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council by exempting certain economic operators that use pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse requirements of these packaging formats