European Commission Is Preparing New Legislation to Accelerate the Circular Economy

The European Commission is preparing a new Circular Economy Act aimed at strengthening the EU’s economic security and competitiveness, while promoting sustainable production, decarbonisation, and the development of circular business models. The Act will facilitate the free movement of circular products, secondary raw materials, and waste, while at the same time increasing the supply of high-quality recycled materials and boosting demand for them.

Among the main objectives of the legislation are the establishment of a single market for secondary raw materials, more efficient collection and recycling of e-waste, reforms regarding waste status, the digitalisation of extended producer responsibility schemes, and the introduction of mandatory green criteria in public procurement. With this, the EU aims to reduce dependence on imported raw materials, increase resource efficiency, and internalise the environmental costs of the linear economy into product prices.

The public consultation on the Act is open until 6 November 2025, with adoption planned for 2026. The European Commission expects the Act to contribute to achieving the goal of doubling the EU’s circularity rate by 2030 and positioning Europe among the global leaders in the circular economy.

Source: European Commission