Circular Economy Act

What is the Circular Economy Act?

The forthcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA) aims to boost Europe’s economic strength by speeding up the shift to a more resource-efficient, low-carbon economy. A key goal is to make it easier for circular and recycled products and recyclable waste to move across the EU – a single market for secondary products. The CEA may also harmonise Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, aligning manufacturers’ financial responsibility for the end of life of their products.

Why is it important?

Adhesives and sealants are key enablers of circularity. They reduce material use through lightweight design, extend product lifetimes and allow components to be repaired or dismantled. They also support high-quality material recovery and recycling at end of life.

The CEA provides an opportunity to align EU sustainability rules and simplify requirements affecting adhesives and sealants. A clearer and more coherent framework will support innovation and competitiveness in sectors such as automotive, electronics, energy and healthcare, while reducing resource use and improving reuse and recycling across value chains.

What are we asking for?

  • Adopt a technology‑neutral, life‑cycle approach
    Regulations should assess solutions based on their overall environmental performance across the full product life cycle, rather than prescribe or exclude specific technologies
  • Ensure harmonised regulatory frameworks across the EU
    Coherent and aligned rules are needed to avoid fragmentation and unnecessary administrative burden, including:
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, applied consistently across Member States
  • Clear mass‑balance rules and technology‑neutral targets that support innovation and fair competition

 

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