Joint call to strengthen EPR for a circular economy in the EU

ACR+ joined 38 other organisations representing civil society, cities, and businesses to send a letter to the European Commission urging t to strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under the forthcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA). While welcoming the Commission’s focus on EPR, signatories stress that simply optimising and harmonising schemes is not enough, as Europe’s recycling rates have stagnated despite rising waste generation. 

The letter calls for a redefinition of EPR to cover the full cost of a product’s end-of-life treatment, including litter cleanup, and to finance waste prevention, repair, and reuse. It also recommends binding targets for prevention and reuse, clearer rules on cost coverage, inclusive governance of EPR schemes, and a fee transfer mechanism for exported second-hand products. These measures aim to ensure EPR contributes effectively to Europe’s climate, circularity, and strategic autonomy goals. 
 
Read the full joint letter here.