Sustainability regulatory updates, the circular economy and the environment
The table below summarises the most recent publications regarding sustainability, the circular economy, and the environment (non-exhaustive):
| Entity | Date | Publication |
| ECHA | April 2026 | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published reporting guidelines to support the implementation of the REACH restriction on intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles (microplastics) established by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055. The guidelines explain the reporting obligations applicable to manufacturers, industrial downstream users and suppliers placing microplastics on the market under derogations provided in the restriction, including the information to be reported, reporting procedures and the use of ECHA’s reporting system. The document also provides guidance on reporting quantities of synthetic polymer microparticles released into the environment and on products containing microplastics that benefit from specific derogations under the restriction. |
| Taiwan | April 2026 | On April 2026, the Executive Yuan approved draft amendments to the Resource Recycling Act, which would rename the legislation as the Resource Circulation Promotion Act and strengthen Taiwan’s framework for resource circulation and circular economy policies. The passage of the bill not only demonstrates Taiwan’s determination to promote a circular economy and sustainable resources, but also symbolises Taiwan’s official transition from ‘waste management’ to a new era of ‘resource circulation,’ establishing an important legal foundation for a full lifecycle resource management system.
This amendment is the first to include the entire lifecycle of products—from design, production, consumption, recycling to reuse—into the management system. In the future, the government will formulate a national resource circulation plan and establish an inter-ministerial “Resource Circulation Promotion Committee” to integrate central and local resources to jointly promote the development of the circular economy. Additionally, this amendment introduces a green design system. In the future, designated products and construction projects may adopt designs such as easy disassembly, single-material design, or the use of a certain proportion of recycled materials, thereby reducing resource waste at the source and improving reuse efficiency. To promote public participation in the circular economy, this amendment introduces circular labeling and product information disclosure systems, allowing consumers to understand the recycled material usage ratio, durability, maintainability, and recycling methods, thereby encouraging them to choose circular products or services and drive a sustainable consumer market. |
| EU Commission | 22/04/2026 | On 22 April 2026, the European Commission published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/296 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on Ecodesign for sustainable products by establishing derogations from the prohibition on the destruction of unsold consumer products; the Regulation specifies the limited circumstances in which unsold consumer products may be destroyed, including where products are dangerous, non-compliant with legal requirements, infringe intellectual property rights, are damaged or defective beyond reasonable repair, or where attempts to donate or prepare them for reuse have been unsuccessful. The Regulation also requires economic operators to retain supporting documentation for five years to justify the application of a derogation and to provide relevant information to waste treatment operators. The measure aims to ensure that destruction remains a last resort while supporting the objectives of circularity, reuse and waste reduction under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The Regulation enters into force on 12 May 2026 and applies from 19 July 2026. |
| EU Commission | 20/03/2026 | The European Commission has published Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/718, laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards minimum environmental sustainability requirements for public procurement procedures involving certain net-zero technologies; the Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the “Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026” (S. 4153 / H.R. 8016) the United European Union on 23 March 2026 and sets out the minimum environmental sustainability requirements that contracting authorities must apply when procuring the covered net-zero technologies, including the criteria and conditions to be used in procurement procedures and the related obligations for economic operators; the Regulation enters into force on 12 April 2026 (the twentieth day following publication) and is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. |
| UK WRAP | 22/04/2026 | On 22 April 2026, WRAP officially launched the UK Packaging Pact, a ten-year voluntary agreement bringing together almost 100 organisations across the packaging value chain to drive the transition to a more sustainable and circular packaging system in the United Kingdom. Building on the UK Plastics Pact, the new initiative expands its scope beyond plastics to cover all packaging materials placed on the market, including glass, paper, card, metals, plastics and bio-based materials. The Pact aims to support businesses in managing costs, preparing for regulatory changes and reducing the environmental impacts of packaging through four core objectives: optimising packaging by reducing single-use and problematic packaging while increasing recyclability and recycled content; scaling up reuse and refill systems; supporting investment in collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure; and harmonising data to improve traceability and reporting. WRAP states that the Pact is intended to provide a collaborative framework for industry, government and other stakeholders to address packaging challenges and support the implementation of key policy reforms, including Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Schemes and Simpler Recycling initiatives. |
| ECHA | 26/03/2026 | The European Chemicals Agency announced that it supports the proposed EU restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the REACH Regulation, indicating that the restriction should proceed with targeted derogations for specific uses where alternatives are not yet available, based on the evaluation of scientific and technical information by its committees, while highlighting the objective of reducing PFAS emissions and exposure in the European Union and noting that the committees’ opinions will inform the European Commission’s decision-making process on the proposed restriction. |
| China | 23/04/2026 | On 23 April 2026, the China Packaging Federation released for public consultation the draft China Packaging Industry Development Plan (2026–2030), setting out a five-year strategy for the development of the packaging sector with a focus on green transformation, circular economy principles and intelligent manufacturing. The draft proposes strengthening food contact material safety requirements through enhanced testing capabilities for the migration of harmful substances, microplastics, degradation product toxicity and the carbon reduction value of recycled materials, while also promoting the development of safety and data compliance standards for intelligent packaging and the establishment of traceability systems. The plan includes material-specific measures, such as the development of fully degradable and high-performance paper packaging materials, the advancement of chemical recycling technologies for PET, PP and PE plastics and the wider use of food-grade recycled plastics, as well as the adoption of ultra-thin and high-strength metal packaging materials and greener surface treatment processes. The draft further encourages alignment with international ESG frameworks and overseas regulatory requirements, including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and foresees the development of certification mechanisms covering carbon footprint accounting, recyclability and bio-based content. Stakeholders were invited to submit comments by 10 May 2026. |
| EU Commission | 27/04/2026 | The European Commission has launched an initiative for an implementing regulation establishing the Digital Product Passport Registry under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on ecodesign for sustainable products. The initiative concerns the creation and operation of a registry for unique identifiers associated with Digital Product Passports, with the objective of supporting the implementation of the Digital Product Passport system established under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The Commission plans to adopt the implementing regulation in Q4 2026. The feedback period was from 29 April 2026 – 27 May 2026. |
| EU Commission | 27/04/2026 | The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on a delegated regulation establishing ecodesign requirements on product repairability under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on ecodesign for sustainable products. The initiative aims to introduce horizontal repairability requirements applicable across product groups and to establish a repairability scoring system to help consumers assess and compare products based on their ease of repair. According to the Commission, the measure is intended to improve product durability, facilitate repairs, reduce waste generation and support the transition to a circular economy. The Commission plans publish the public consultation in the third of 2026. |
| EU Commission | 27/04/2026 | The European Commission has launched an initiative to establish new ecodesign requirements for household dishwashers under the Ecodesign framework. The planned delegated regulation will review and update the existing requirements applicable to household dishwashers, taking into account technological developments and the objectives of improving product sustainability and resource efficiency. According to the Commission, the future measure will address environmental and circularity aspects of household dishwashers within the EU ecodesign framework. The Commission currently plans to adopt the delegated regulation in Q3 2027. |
| EU Commission | 27/04/2026 | The European Commission has published an initiative for a delegated regulation establishing a list of products exempted from the general removability and replaceability requirements under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries. The initiative concerns the identification of products that will be exempt from the requirements relating to the removability and replaceability of portable batteries and light means of transport batteries. The Commission plans to adopt the delegated regulation in the first quarter 2026. The feedback period was from 28 April 2026 – 26 May 2026. |
| South Korea | 28/04/2026 | On 28 April 2026, stakeholders from industry, sustainability and policy organisations gathered at the South Korea Eco-design Forum, hosted by the South Korean Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, to discuss eco-design, circular systems and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in the context of the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Discussions focused on the need to address circularity at the product design stage, with particular attention given to product durability, recyclability, material traceability and the communication of environmental information in a structured and verifiable manner. Participants also discussed the role of DPPs in supporting product development and supply chain transparency, while industry representatives highlighted the importance of clear communication between policymakers and industry regarding regulatory implementation timelines. According to the discussions, product data infrastructure was identified as an important element for supporting transparency, regulatory alignment and circular economy initiatives across supply chains. |
| EU Commission | 29/04/2026 | On 29 April 2026, the European Parliament published Resolution 2024/2119 (on a new legislative framework for products that is fit for the digital and sustainable transition), calling for a revision of the EU’s New Legislative Framework (NLF) to better address sustainability, digitalisation and market surveillance challenges. The Parliament highlights the need to strengthen the responsibilities of economic operators, improve enforcement and market surveillance, particularly for products sold online, and enhance the framework’s ability to address connected products, software updates and artificial intelligence. The resolution identifies the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as a key tool for providing harmonised information on product characteristics, conformity, supply chains, durability, reparability, recyclability and spare parts, and calls for greater interoperability between the DPP and existing EU databases. The Parliament also urges the Commission to consider harmonised definitions for refurbishers, remanufacturers and repairers, assess the integration of extended producer responsibility schemes within the NLF, improve access to compliance information for repair and refurbishment activities, address challenges linked to fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion, and accelerate the development and publication of harmonised standards to support competitiveness, consumer protection and the green and digital transitions |
| EU Commission | 29/04/2026 | The European Commission has prepared a draft delegated regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries by expanding the list of products exempted from the requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by end-users. The proposed derogations would cover certain wearable devices, rechargeable electric toys until 31 July 2030, wireless thermometer probes designed for food contact during food preparation, equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, on-body drug delivery systems and certain telematics devices used in agricultural and construction machinery. The draft provides that batteries in these products may be removable and replaceable only by independent professionals where this is necessary to ensure user safety or maintain product functionality. |
| CEN | 30/4/2026 | On 30 April 2026, CEN published a series of European standards on the design for recycling of plastic packaging under the EN 18120 series. The standards establish definitions, principles, guidelines and recyclability evaluation protocols for different plastic packaging formats, including PET bottles, PET rigid packaging, PE and PP rigid and flexible packaging, PS and XPS rigid packaging, and EPS packaging. The series also includes requirements for assessing the sortability and recyclability of plastic packaging and is intended to support the design of packaging compatible with recycling processes. |
| California, US | 01/05/2026 | On 1 May 2026, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) announced that the permanent regulations implementing California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) had been approved by the Office of Administrative Law and became effective upon filing. The regulations implement California’s extended producer responsibility framework for single-use packaging and single-use plastic food service ware, requiring producers to participate in the programme and supporting the law’s targets to reduce single-use plastic packaging, ensure packaging is recyclable or compostable, and increase recycling rates. CalRecycle stated that the regulations shift responsibility for managing packaging waste from local governments and taxpayers to producers and published updated guidance for affected companies following the approval of the regulations. |
| EU Commission | 3/05/2026 | The European Commission has launched an initiative to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products through a proposal aimed at simplifying certain requirements and introducing technical amendments to Annex I of the Regulation. According to the initiative page, the proposal will address technical issues identified during the implementation of the Regulation and make targeted amendments to Annex I, which lists the relevant commodities and products covered by the rules. The initiative is intended to simplify the application of the Regulation while maintaining its objectives. The Commission plans to adopt the proposal in Q4 2026. Feedback period 04 May 2026 – 01 June 2026. |
| France | 05/05/2026 | On 5 May 2026, France published an order amending the 12 December 2022 decree on data reporting requirements for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. The measure updates the data that producers, producer responsibility organisations (éco-organismes) and individual compliance systems must report to ADEME across multiple EPR streams, including household and professional packaging, batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, end-of-life vehicles, tyres, boats and single-use sanitary textiles. Among the changes, the order introduces new reporting requirements on reuse and re-use operations, recycled plastic content, financial contributions and expenditures, waste treatment operators, packaging placed on the market, and waste management performance. For packaging, the amendments align reporting requirements with Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR), including future references to the packaging categories established under the Regulation. The order also creates a new reporting framework for single-use sanitary textiles, including wipes, and enters into force on the day following its publication, with several provisions applying from 1 January 2027 for data relating to 2026. |
| CEN | 13/05/2026 | On 13 May 2026, CEN published EN ISO 14024:2026, Environmental statements and programmes for products – Ecolabels (ISO 14024:2026). The standard specifies principles, requirements and guidance for ecolabelling programmes and ecolabels, covering the development of ecolabelling schemes, the selection of product categories, the establishment of environmental and product function criteria, and the assessment and certification processes for products licensed to use an ecolabel. The standard also provides guidance on distinguishing ecolabels developed in accordance with the standard from other environmental statements and ecolabels available on the market. According to the scope, ecolabels may address environmental aspects of products and can also include social and economic aspects in support of sustainable development. |
| EU Commision | 18/05/2026 | On 18 May 2026, the European Commission published an updated Questions & Answers document on Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition. The document provides preliminary guidance on the application of the Directive, which will apply from 27 September 2026, and clarifies rules on environmental claims, sustainability labels, durability and repairability information, and consumer guarantee rights. The Commission explains that generic environmental claims such as “green” or “eco-friendly” are prohibited unless traders can demonstrate recognised excellent environmental performance, and reiterates that sustainability labels must meet the requirements established under the Directive. The Q&A also provides additional clarification on the assessment of environmental claims used in brand, product and company names, pending a future update of the Commission’s guidance on the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the Consumer Rights Directive. |
| EU Commission | 20/05/2026 | The European Commission published a Call for Evidence for a Biotech Act II, a legislative initiative planned for Q4 2026 that will focus on industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU. The initiative aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU bioeconomy, reduce dependence on virgin fossil feedstocks and support the development of bio-based and recycled carbon-based products. According to the Commission, the impact assessment will examine measures to create lead markets for bio-based products, including the possible introduction of mandatory minimum content requirements for carbon from bio-based feedstock, captured carbon (CCU) and/or biomanufacturing, as well as options such as “Made in Europe” requirements, regulatory sandboxes, sustainability criteria for biomass, and measures to simplify existing legislation and authorisation procedures. Potential sectors identified for future action include chemicals, plastics and polymers, fibres and textiles, construction products, fertilisers and plant protection products. The Commission plans to present the legislative proposal in Q4 2026 following an impact assessment and stakeholder consultation process. |
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