The EU action plan for the Circular Economy is a policy at the EU level with a cross-sectoral approach. This policy aims at achieving the transition to a more circular economy to transform EU's economy and generate new and sustainable competitive advantages for Europe. This policy lays down actions on the circular economy in line with key EU priorities, including jobs and growth, the investment agenda, climate and energy, the social agenda and industrial innovation, and with global efforts on sustainable development. This policy focuses on maintaining the value of products, materials and resources in the economy for as long as possible; minimizing waste generation; and contributing to the EU's efforts to develop a sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient and competitive economy. The regulatory framework will be strengthened for the development of the circular economy in the single market. The EU's competitiveness will be boosted through circular economy by protecting businesses against scarcity of resources and volatile prices, and helping to create new business opportunities and innovative, more efficient ways of producing and consuming. The reparability, upgradability, durability, and recyclability of products will be promoted by developing product requirements relevant to the circular economy. The guidance on best waste management and resource efficiency practices in industrial sectors will be included in Best Available Techniques reference documents. This policy provides for the change in consumption patterns. Actions will be taken for Green Public Procurement (GPP) by setting new or revised criteria in circular economy aspects and supporting higher uptake of GPP. Waste management wil be improved to achieve long-term recycling targets for municipal waste and packaging waste, and to reduce landfill. Reuse activities will be encouraged to minimize waste generation. Furthermore, general requirements will be set for extended producer responsibility schemes. Quality standards will be developed for secondary raw materials where they are needed (in particular for plastics), and the rules on 'end-of-waste' will be improved. EU regulation on fertilisers will be revised, so as to facilitate recognition of organic and waste-based fertilizers in the single market and thus support the role of bio-nutrients in the circular economy.Water reuse will be promoted through a legislative proposal on minimum requirements for reused water, e.g. for irrigation and groundwater recharge.The linkage between chemicals, products and waste legislation will be analyzed, including on how to reduce the presence and improve the tracking of chemicals of concern in products. The Raw Materials Information System will be developed and EU-wide research on raw materials flows will be supported. A strategy will be adopted on plastics in the circular economy, addressing issues such as recyclability, biodegradability, the presence of hazardous substances of concern in certain plastics, and marine litter. A common EU methodology will be developed to measure food waste and define relevant indicators.Measures will be taken to clarify EU legislation relating to waste, food and feed and facilitate food donation and the use of former foodstuff and by-products from the food chain in feed production without compromising food and feed safety. Moreover, the use of date marking by actors in the food chain and its understanding by consumers will be improved, in particular the "best before" label. Efficient use of bio-based resources will be promoted through a series of measures including guidance and dissemination of best practices on the cascading use of biomass and support for innovation in the bioeconomy. Research and innovation will be supported to achieve the transition to circular economy and contribute to the competitiveness and modernization of EU industry. The public and private sources of financing will be made available to scale up improved technologies and processes, develop infrastructure and increase cooperation between actors in the value chain.
2015-12-02