EU considers easing packaging rules after firm halted sales in bloc

In a parliamentary session, Jessika Roswall warned that a company withdrew its products from the EU market because of the newly adopted packaging legislation, describing the outcome as intolerable. The rule, jointly approved by the European Parliament and the Council, aims to cut waste, lower costs and boost the circular economy. Roswall argued that small firms should not be forced to maintain a representative in every national market, a hurdle many cite as the biggest obstacle.

The European Commission, which proposed the law, has asked member states to pause the strictest requirements and to allow flexibility for small and medium-sized enterprises, noting that many obligations only start in 2030. Council member Thomas Byrne said the Council is aware of the issues and is open to threshold-based exemptions, while also emphasizing the need to prevent non-EU producers from evading the system. The debate reflects ongoing tension between environmental ambition and business feasibility within the bloc.