The European Commission has opened a public consultation and call for evidence on its upcoming Circular Economy Act, scheduled for adoption in 2026. The new legislation is designed to speed up the EU’s transition to a circular economy and reinforce the Single Market for secondary raw materials. It follows earlier measures such as the Eco-design Regulation, the USB directive, and CE certification. A central challenge will be how the EU and its member states ensure effective enforcement, given that previous directives have often faced difficulties in implementation.
Act aims to boost circular transition
The Act is designed to support the EU’s resilience, competitiveness, and decarbonization goals. Key priorities include boosting reuse and repair, ensuring high-quality recycled feedstocks, and stimulating demand for recycled materials. It also seeks to remove barriers to circularity while securing critical raw material supply chains.
Legislation aligns with existing initiatives
The Circular Economy Act is set to align with ongoing policy efforts, including the Eco-design Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and the Critical Raw Materials Act. It is also expected to build on recommendations from the Letta and Draghi reports, as well as the Antwerp and Budapest Declarations.
Stakeholders are invited to contribute
Businesses, NGOs, industry bodies, and citizens are encouraged to respond through the EU’s Have Your Say portal. Feedback will be accepted until 6 November 2025. The Commission has emphasized that final legislation will be shaped by contributions from across the EU.
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