Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002662/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Susana Solís Pérez (PPE), Oliver Schenk (PPE), Carmen Crespo Díaz (PPE), Esther Herranz García (PPE), Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (PPE), Dolors Montserrat (PPE), Elena Nevado del Campo (PPE)
The revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) introduces an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which has raised concerns about the proportionality of the cost allocation among sectors. Poland has challenged the directive before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), specifically contesting the application of the EPR to the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. Most recently, the European water resilience strategy, published on 3 June 2025, announced an updated analysis of the costs and sectoral impacts of the EPR scheme. Nevertheless, national implementation of the UWWTD is already under way in some Member States, even though this updated analysis has not yet been carried out.
In this context:
- 1.When exactly does the Commission plan to carry out the updated cost and impact analysis referred to in the water resilience strategy?
- 2.What specific aspects will be examined – will the analysis take into account the relative contribution of different sectors to micropollution, the economic impact on SMEs, and the implications for research and innovation?
- 3.In the light of ongoing national implementation and the legal challenge currently before the CJEU, will the Commission recommend that Member States postpone national implementation of the EPR scheme until the updated analysis is completed and its findings properly considered?
Submitted: 1.7.2025