Main results
Packaging and packaging waste
EU environment ministers reached an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste.
190kg of packaging waste was generated by each European in 2021. And this figure will grow by nearly 20% in 2030, if things stay the same. We cannot let that happen. Today’s general approach gives a strong message that the EU is committed to reducing and preventing packaging waste from all sources. This regulation is crucial in our path to a circular economy and a climate-neutral Europe.

Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Spanish third vice-president of the government and minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge
The aim of the proposed regulation is to tackle the increase in packaging waste generated in the EU, while harmonising the internal market for packaging and boosting the circular economy. It also establishes requirements to ensure that packaging is safe and sustainable, by requiring that all packaging is recyclable and that the presence of substances of concern is minimised. It also sets labelling requirements to improve consumer information.

In line with the waste hierarchy, ministers agreed on rules to minimise the generation of packaging waste by setting binding re-use targets, restricting certain types of single-use packaging and requiring economic operators to reduce the packaging used to the necessary minimum.


Soil monitoring law
Ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for the first-ever EU soil health law. The proposal sets the long-term objective of having all soil ecosystems across the EU in good condition by 2050, in line with the EU soil strategy for 2030.

It lays down binding requirements for the monitoring and assessment of soil health to establish a comprehensive monitoring framework for all soils across the EU. The new rules will also address sustainable soil management and the restoration of contaminated sites.

Ministers welcomed the proposal and agreed with the importance of having EU-level legislation focused on soil monitoring and resilience. They exchanged views on how the proposed soil monitoring framework could help improve soil health within the foreseen timeframe and on the level of ambition in tackling soil contamination.

Presidency background document
Watch the public session
Proposal for a directive on soil monitoring and resilience (European Commission)
Biodiversity: how the EU protects nature (background information)
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 (European Commission)

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