DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 30 March 2026
Commission publishes guidance to support implementation of new packaging rules, for a more sustainable and competitive EU packaging sector
Today, the European Commission published guidelines on the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to facilitate the uniform application of the new packaging rules across the EU and simplify compliance for economic actors and Member States. The full application of this law will contribute to a more sustainable and competitive packaging sector across the EU and to strengthening the Single Market for packaging through common rules.
On average, in 2023, each European generated 178kg of packaging waste. Without intervention, total packaging waste could further rise by 19% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels, while plastic waste could rise by as much as 46%. At the same time, the packaging industry faces significant administrative burdens as a result of divergent national packaging rules across Member States.
The guidance document presented today by the Commission clarifies rules where the PPWR need further interpretation and areas where stakeholders have requested assistance. For instance, it clarifies when a company is considered manufacturer or producer, as well as which items are considered packaging under the PPWR.
This document also spells out the restrictions on single-use packaging, enforcement of the PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) restriction in food contact packaging, and the application of re-use targets. In addition, it provides guidance on how to apply extended producer responsibility for packaging and on the obligation to set up deposit and return systems.
The accompanying Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) address a wide range of practical issues raised by stakeholders since the adoption of the PPWR last year. The Commission will update the FAQ document as needed. While providing more clarity on key provisions of the new packaging rules, the guidance document and the FAQs do not replace, add to, or amend the provisions of the PPWR.
Next steps
The Commission guidance document will be translated into all EU official languages before being formally adopted.
The Commission will continue to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the PPWR to ensure a smooth and effective roll out of the new rules.
Several delegated and implementing acts are being prepared, including on harmonised registration and reporting formats for the extended producer responsibility, labelling for waste sorting by consumers, recycled content in plastic packaging, and recyclability criteria. These are being prepared in close cooperation with Member States, stakeholders and trading partners.
Background
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025. It aims to address the pressing environmental challenges caused by packaging waste, harmonise rules for businesses operating on the single market, and to create opportunities for businesses involved in recycling and sustainable packaging solutions. The Regulation introduces measures such as mandatory recyclability by 2030, minimum recycled content in plastic packaging, and reduction measures against the excessive use of packaging. These measures will significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, water use and environmental costs in the packaging sector.
For more information
Guidance document
Frequently Asked Questions
Packaging waste
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Eurostat data on packaging waste from October 2025
PPWR facts page
Quote(s)
We are providing further clarity and support to businesses, Member States, and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to a more circular and competitive packaging value chain. I encourage all stakeholders to make use of this guidance and work together to ensure a smooth implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, so we can achieve our ambitious goals and create resilience based on a competitive and sustainable footprint.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
Commission adopts €1.5 billion work programme to boost European and Ukrainian defence industry
The European Commission approved today a €1.5 billion work programme under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to enhance and modernise Europe's defence industry, boost production capacity and secure technological advancement and resilience.
EDIP tackles pressing challenges in European defence and security by boosting industrial production capacities, reinforcing cooperation with Ukraine, strengthening joint European procurement and developing European defence projects of common interest, marking a significant step in the EU's efforts to improve Europe's security.
Investment priorities and allocation of funds
More than €700 million will support the production increase of key defence components and products, including counter-drones systems, missiles and ammunition. This includes €260 million under the Ukraine Support Instrument (USI) of EDIP, to help rebuild and modernise Ukraine's Defence Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) by investing in collaborative projects that increase production capacities in both Ukraine and Europe.
The European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI) will receive €325 million to launch and implement ambitious collaborative industrial projects. These projects aim to benefit a broader part of the EU and are also open to Norway and Ukraine.
To reduce fragmentation and boost efficiency, EDIP will fund €240 million for the joint procurement of defence equipment, including counter-drone, air and missile defence and ground and naval combat systems, by Member States and Norway. Consortia of contracting authorities can apply for funding, with grants available for up to €20 million per project.
Defence start-ups, including Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps will get €100 million in equity support through the Fund Accelerating Defence Supply Chains Transformation (FAST). Under the BraveTech EU initiative, a new defence innovation programme will receive additional €35.3 million from EDIP USI, supporting both Ukrainian and EU industries, particularly start-ups and SMEs, boosting innovation to tackle urgent challenges faced by the Ukrainian armed forces and improve the competitiveness of the European defence industry.
The first round of EDIP calls for proposals will be visible on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal as of 31 March 2026.
The European defence industry programme (EDIP) has been adopted on 8 December 2025. It is one of the many initiatives the EU has taken to boost its defence readiness and enhance Europe's defence industry in light of an evolving security landscape. The programme provides €1.5 billion in grants for the period 2026-2027.
2026 EDIP Work Programme
EDIP Regulation
European Funding & Tenders Portal
The adoption of the work programme under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) represents a key step in reinforcing Europe's defence capabilities. This initiative shows our focus on innovation, collaboration and strengthening the technological foundation needed to address current and future challenges. We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the programme achieves its objectives efficiently and effectively.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
In just a few months, we have translated the EDIP Regulation into immediate opportunities. Now, Member States, Norway, and as a first for an EU defence industrial programme Ukraine and their industries can seize funding opportunities to strengthen defence cooperation and ramp up production. The establishment and funding under EDIP of European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) also marks a decisive step to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space
Commission disburses €896.9 million to Croatia under NextGenerationEU
Today, the European Commission disbursed €896.9 million in grants and loans to Croatia, marking the eighth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
The RRF, the cornerstone of NextGenerationEU, is the Commission’s flagship post-pandemic programme supporting Member States’ recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness.
Measures linked to this payment include improvements in access to health, sustainable finance, innovative mobility, water management, sustainable agriculture, and the fight against corruption and rganized crime.
Today’s disbursement follows Croatia’s eighth payment request, submitted on 15 December 2025 and approved by the Commission on 6 February 2026.
With this payment, Croatia has now received 73% of its total €10 billion allocation (€5.8 billion in grants and €4.2 billion in loans ), with 62% of all milestones and targets under its national recovery and resilience plan now fulfilled.
As with all Member States, payments to Croatia under the RRF are performance-based, contingent upon the successful implementation of milestones and targets included in its recovery and resilience plan.
As the RRF approaches its closure at the end of 2026, Member States must implement all outstanding milestones and targets by August 2026 and submit their final payment requests by the end of September 2026.
An interactive map showcasing examples of reforms and investments supported by the RRF, and further details on the RRF payment claim process are available online.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78 ; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)
EU steps up support for disaster preparedness and humanitarian aid in Asia
The European Commission has released nearly €11 million to support humanitarian aid and strengthen disaster preparedness across Asia in 2026.
Over €8.7 million will fund disaster preparedness initiatives throughout the region, the majority through a regional allocation of €7 million covering ASEAN countries, as well as Nepal and Sri Lanka. In addition, a dedicated envelope will fund country-specific disaster preparedness actions in Nepal (€1.7 million).
This funding will support the development of early warning systems, foster actions that promote climate and environmental resilience, and contribute to developing shock-responsive social protection mechanisms to help communities most at risk. In Nepal, funding will also aim at improving health emergency preparedness, as well as anticipatory actions.
A further €2 million are allocated to humanitarian assistance in the Philippines, which will support populations impacted by multiple disasters such as tropical cyclones, as well as victims of conflict.
This announcement comes as Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, is visiting Japan this week, where she will meet with national and local authorities to exchange on preparedness, disaster risk management and humanitarian aid. During her visit, the Commissioner will visit Fukushima to mark the 15th anniversary since the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in this devastating tragedy. She will also travel to the Noto Peninsula, which was struck by an earthquake in 2024 that claimed more than 240 lives.
“Japan is a like-minded partner and a global leader in humanitarian action. It has a deep experience in preparing for disasters and responding when crisis strikes”, said Commissioner Lahbib, “Japan is also a strong example of societal preparedness, including in schools, where children learn from an early age how to respond in an emergency. As Europe puts its Preparedness Strategy into action, Japan's experience can help us build stronger, more resilient societies.”
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)
Commission report shows progress in boosting Europe's social economy
The Commission has published a report of its Action Plan for the Social Economy, reviewing its progress since 2021 and setting out further actions to strengthen the social economy across Europe.
The implementation of the Action Plan is well underway. In the last five years, 21 Member States have adopted or are preparing national or regional social economy strategies, and 12 have reformed their social economy laws. Over €1.62 billion in EU funding and €1.2 billion in InvestEU guarantees have been allocated to support the EU social economy in 2021-2027.
Looking ahead, the report identifies priorities to make the social economy more competitive, robust and widely recognised. They include clearer state aid rules, stronger frameworks for private social investment, better data collection across Member States, and a toolkit to support regional and local social economy policies.
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, underlines: “As Europe faces geopolitical challenges, industrial transformation and growing social pressures, the social economy is increasingly becoming a driver of resilience, inclusion and competitiveness. Over 4.3 million social economy organisations in the EU provide 11.5 million jobs while addressing key social and environmental objectives, for example by providing affordable housing and delivering quality care. Our mid-term review shows we are delivering, but more must be done to help the social economy thrive.”
A Special Eurobarometer in October 2025 found that half of Europeans had engaged with social economy organisations in the past five years, and that 75% considered the social economy important for society. However, these organisations still face uneven access to support , markets and finance.
Read the full mid-term review and the staff working document.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65)
STEP mobilises over €29 billion to boost EU competitiveness in its first two years
The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is celebrating its second anniversary with important achievements for the development and manufacturing of critical technologies in Europe. Since its inception in March 2024, STEP has mobilised €29 billion of EU funding across EU funding programmes to support technologies and associated skills in four sectors: digital and deep-tech innovation, clean and resource-efficient technologies, biotech, and defence. STEP reprogrammes EU funding from existing programmes through its dedicated calls for STEP sectors, with the aim of supporting the development and manufacturing of critical technologies. Leading up to this anniversary, Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin held an Implementation Dialogue on 24 March, where he sat with STEP stakeholders to hear directly their experience with the platform.
The STEP Portal provides a one-stop platform for project promoters to access all STEP funding opportunities across EU programmes and Member States. So far, more than 220 STEP calls have been listed on the STEP Portal for project promoters to apply for funding. Work is ongoing on an artificial intelligence simulator to make access to information even simpler. Close to €14 billion of EU funding mobilised under STEP is deployed from funds managed by the European Commission to the benefit of the entire EU: the Innovation Fund, the Digital Europe Programme, the European Defence Fund, the EU4Health Programme, and Horizon Europe. More than €15 billion is invested in STEP priorities by 20 Member States and their regions from their EU-funded cohesion policy funds, and larger amounts are being crowded in from other public and private investors.
The positive experience of the STEP approach was an important input into the Commission's proposal to consolidate 14 programmes into one European Competitiveness Fund for the next Multiannual Financial Framework starting in 2028. Inspired by the STEP Portal, a Single Gateway will be established to consolidate and simplify access to funding opportunities across the entire EU budget. For more information on this STEP anniversary, you can visit our dedicated publication.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
Commission approves €6 billion Italian State aid scheme for renewable hydrogen
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €6 billion Italian scheme to support the production of renewable hydrogen for the transport and industrial sectors. The scheme will contribute to the development of renewable hydrogen production capacity in line with the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Clean Industrial Deal.
The aid will take the form of two-way contracts for difference and will run until 31 December 2029.
The Commission found that the aid is necessary and appropriate to facilitate the production of renewable hydrogen for the decarbonisation of the transport and industrial sectors. The Commission also concluded that the aid has an incentive effect, is proportionate and will bring about positive effects, in particular on the environment, that outweigh the negative effects on competition.
Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said: “This scheme will support the production of renewable hydrogen in Italy for sectors where it can contribute the most to reducing emissions. The scheme will contribute to the clean, just and competitive transition.”
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)
Commission approves €250 million Portuguese State aid scheme to support forestry sector
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €250 million Portuguese scheme to support the forestry sector. The scheme will support investments for the restoration of forests following natural disasters, severe weather or catastrophic events, in accordance with the Portuguese CAP Strategic Plan. It also aims at offsetting revenue losses experienced by land owners due to the reforestation of agricultural and non-agricultural land.
Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The scheme will support forestry investments through the granting of fixed premiums that will be paid for a period of up to 20 years. Reforestation premiums will be granted to owners of agricultural and non-agricultural land for ceasing agricultural activities or committing to maintaining new forests in their land, while restoration premiums will be granted to owners that restore their land's forest potential following natural disasters, severe weather or catastrophic events. The scheme is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development by up to €21.9 million and was already approved under the CAP rules as part of the Portuguese National Strategic Plan. It will run until 31 December 2029.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to encourage investments in reforestation. Furthermore, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Portuguese scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.119883 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Commissioner Micallef in Rome to build financial support for multilateralism through culture and cultural heritage
Today, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, is in Rome for discussions on the current challenges posed to culture and cultural heritage conservation in the context of a shifting multilateral landscape.
Commissioner Micallef will meet the Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). This will be followed by a High-Level Dialogue with representatives of EU Member States and third countries supporting ICCROM.
Commissioner Micallef will announce a €250,000 top-up of the READY project, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme with €1.5 million, and implemented by ICCROM. This support aligns with the European Commission's commitment to supporting multilateralism through culture, as announced in the Culture Compass for Europe.
The READY project aims to enhance the resilience of Europe's cultural heritage against disasters, extreme weather events, and complex emergencies. The additional funding will support the project's work strand specifically dedicated to Ukraine and the strengthening of Ukraine's cultural heritage resilience.
Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU has mobilised over €50 million in support of Ukraine's cultural and creative sectors and cultural heritage. The top-up of the READY project will also contribute towards the Team Europe approach for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine, which has so far brought together 76 actions from 24 Member States, alongside the initiatives of the European Commission.
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
Calendar items of the President and Commissioners
Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners