EU environment ministers meet in Brussels on 17 December

EU environment ministers meet in Brussels on 17 December

The EU environment ministers aim for a general approach to reduce microplastic pollution by curbing plastic pellet losses. The ministers will also discuss the Regulation on end-of-life vehicles and the EU's 2040 climate target. Finland's representative at the meeting is State Secretary Mika Nykänen.

Regulation on plastic pellets would reduce microplastic pollution

The Commission gave the proposal for a Regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution in October 2023. The proposed Regulation aims to ensure that all economic operators handling plastic pellets will take measures to reduce the leakages and loss of plastics pellets. Finland considers the Commission's target to reduce plastic pollution ending up in the environment as important and supports the Member State's general approach to prevent the losses of plastic pellets at all stages of the supply chain.

Maritime transport did not fall within the scope the Commission's original proposal, but it has been the main topic of the negotiations in the Council. The Environment Council discussed the matter in March and June 2024. The Hungarian Presidency has proposed as a compromise that maritime transport would be included in the Regulation, as recommended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Finland has considered it important that the regulation is in line with that of IMO.

Plastic pellets constitute the third largest source of microplastics unintentionally released to the environment in the EU, after paints and tyres. Plastic pellets are used in almost all plastic production. The Commission estimates that every year between 52,140 and 184,290 tonnes of pellets leak or are lost to the environment. The main reason for this is poor handling of pellets in the supply chain. The measures included in the proposal could reduce pellet losses by as much as 74%.

Regulation on circular economy of vehicles important for Finland

The Commission gave the proposal for a Regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles in July 2023. Finland considers it important to promote a circular economy of vehicles. Automotive industry consumes a lot of natural resources and energy, which causes greenhouse gas emissions. The transition to the circular economy promotes the sustainable use of natural resources, reduces the negative environmental impacts of their extraction and processing and helps to ensure the supply of critical raw materials. The proposed Regulation would also promote the growth of business related to the reuse of end-of-life vehicles and recycling of materials. However, Finland is worried about the burden caused to vehicle owners, manufacturers and importers, additional work to the authorities, and impacts of the Regulation on hobby and business activities related to old vehicles. Finland considers that in the future negotiations a particular focus should be on producer responsibility rules, transfers of ownership of used vehicles and the grounds on which a vehicle is to be considered an end-of-life vehicle.

In addition, the ministers exchanged views on the EU's 2040 climate target on the basis of questions put forward by the Presidency. Finland supports the Commission's recommendation for the EU to set a target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 and stresses that in the implementation the focus should be on cost-effective emission reductions. Finland has also stressed that in the EU regulation incentives should be created for technical sinks.

Inquiries

Merja Saarnilehto (plastic pellets)
Senior Ministerial Adviser
[email protected]
tel. +358 295 250 259

Eini Lemmelä (Regulation on a circular economy of vehicles)
Senior Specialist
[email protected]
tel. +358 295 250 032

Laura Aho (EU's 2040 climate target)
Ministerial Adviser
[email protected]
tel. +358 295 250 135