EFPIA calls for pause in Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive implementation amid growing concerns from EU Member States
12.10.26
Following today's meeting of the Ministers of Environment, EFPIA is again calling for a pause in the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive amid growing concerns about the scientific and legal evidence used in the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme (EPR).
The call comes as 15 Member States backed Poland’s initiative to bring the issue to the attention of EU Environment Ministers reflecting growing concerns across Europe over the Directive’s implementation and asking the European Commission for clarity while implementation continues.
Nathalie Moll, Director General, EFPIA, said:
“It’s time for the European Commission to listen to valid concerns from a majority of Member States, and industry, acknowledge the legal uncertainties of the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme (EPR) and take steps to reverse these by pausing implementation while a legal and scientific review takes place.Concerns have consistently been raised about the basis on which responsibility was attributed to the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors.
With numerous studies questioning the validity of the EPR, it is also important that the financing framework of the Directive is reassessed, including exploring alternative financing models to safeguard medicines availability and Europe’s ability to research and manufacture new medicines.
With Europe’s stated ambition to boost global competitiveness, strengthen its industrial base and improve access to medicines for Europeans, it is becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile the Commission's decision to carry on regardless.
We therefore urge the Commission to take note of the Ministers of Environment discussion and pause the implementation of the EPR provisions pending legal clarity while a comprehensive, transparent impact assessment - covering all relevant sources of micropollution - is conducted.”
The call comes as 15 Member States backed Poland’s initiative to bring the issue to the attention of EU Environment Ministers reflecting growing concerns across Europe over the Directive’s implementation and asking the European Commission for clarity while implementation continues.
Nathalie Moll, Director General, EFPIA, said:
“It’s time for the European Commission to listen to valid concerns from a majority of Member States, and industry, acknowledge the legal uncertainties of the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme (EPR) and take steps to reverse these by pausing implementation while a legal and scientific review takes place.Concerns have consistently been raised about the basis on which responsibility was attributed to the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors.
With numerous studies questioning the validity of the EPR, it is also important that the financing framework of the Directive is reassessed, including exploring alternative financing models to safeguard medicines availability and Europe’s ability to research and manufacture new medicines.
With Europe’s stated ambition to boost global competitiveness, strengthen its industrial base and improve access to medicines for Europeans, it is becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile the Commission's decision to carry on regardless.
We therefore urge the Commission to take note of the Ministers of Environment discussion and pause the implementation of the EPR provisions pending legal clarity while a comprehensive, transparent impact assessment - covering all relevant sources of micropollution - is conducted.”