EU Parliament backs SME exemption from PPWR representative rule to 2035
The European Parliament has adopted its position to suspend, until 2035, the requirement for small and micro-enterprises to appoint an authorised representative in every EU member state under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The exemption would apply to EU-based firms with fewer than 50 employees and turnover or balance sheet under EUR 10m, and would not affect other Extended Producer Responsibility obligations such as waste prevention or fees. The position was adopted by 616 votes to 9 on packaging and waste batteries, and now goes forward to trialogue negotiations with the Council.
Why this mattersA multi-year suspension of the representative rule would cut compliance costs for small packaging producers selling across EU borders ahead of a planned Circular Economy Act.
- MEPs voted 616 to 9, with 39 abstentions, for the position on packaging waste and waste batteries.
- A related vote on single-use plastics, electronics, textiles and footwear passed 612 to 8, with 39 abstentions.
- The exemption would cover EU firms with fewer than 50 employees and turnover or balance sheet under EUR 10m.
- Suspension would run until 2035 or until a Circular Economy Act is adopted, whichever comes first.
- The German Federal Ministry for the Environment had proposed exempting traders putting under 10 tonnes of packaging into circulation per year.
- The European Commission is expected to propose a comprehensive Circular Economy Act later in 2026.