ESWET Spring News 2025

Policy Updates

ESWET

The Clean Industrial Deal
On 26 February 2025, the European Commission published the much-anticipated Clean Industrial Deal designed to support Europe's decarbonisation, circular economy and energy resilience. The initiative integrates regulatory support, financial incentives and innovation strategies to expand clean technologies, advance circular economy principles, and develop sustainable supply chains for critical materials. In a press release, ESWET welcomed this development and highlighted Waste-to-Energy’s essential role in achieving these goals. 

EU Commission Publishes ‘Competitiveness Compass’
On 29 January, the European Commission unveiled its Competitiveness Compass, outlining a strategic agenda for the current term. The plan calls for improved resource efficiency and the circular use of materials to support decarbonisation, economic security, and the transition to a green and digital economy. Notably, the Competitiveness Compass announces forthcoming initiatives such as the Circular Economy Act (expected in Q4 2026) and the Advanced Materials Act (expected in 2026), both aimed at building a stronger single market for waste, secondary, and reusable materials.

EU Steel and Metals Action Plan
On 19 March the European Commission released its Steel and Metals Action Plan, as part of the Clean Industrial Deal. The plan focuses on strengthening the EU metals industry while aligning with climate goals. Key measures include boosting recycled metal use, updating End-of-Waste criteria, and supporting innovation in metal recovery technologies. Aluminum and copper are recognised as strategic materials, leading to stronger incentives for their recovery. This could benefit IBA processing plants, making metal extraction from ash more attractive and economically viable.
 
A call to keep IBA recycling in the EU Taxonomy revision
On 6 March 2025, ESWET, FEAD, FIR, EuRIC, MWE, and CEWEP issued a joint statement urging the inclusion of IBA recycling in the handover note to the Platform on Sustainable Finance's successor. In June 2023, the European Commission acknowledged the potential inclusion of IBA recycling in the next revision of the EU Taxonomy. Now, as the current Platform on Sustainable Finance hands over to its successor, the joint statement calls on policymakers to keep IBA recycling on the agenda.
 

Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF)
On 25 April 2025, ESWET contributed to the EU consultation that will lead to the EU new State Aid Framework which accompanies the Clean Industrial Deal. The new State Aid Framework’s goal is to simplify state aid rules, allow state aid investments to accelerate industrial decarbonisation, foster the implementation of renewable energy, and guarantee the manufacturing of clean tech in Europe. The plan is expected to reduce administrative burdens, speed up approvals, and improve access to funding for strategic sectors. The Commission plans to adopt the new State Aid Framework by June 2025. For more information, click here. 

The Landfill BREF Process
On 22 November 2024, the European Bureau for Research on Industrial Transformation and Emissions (EU-BRITE) - formerly known as the European IPPC Bureau - launched the process for developing the Landfill Best Available Techniques Reference Document (LAN BREF). The process is a key step under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and aims to update and strengthen environmental standards for landfill operations across the EU. The BREF will cover technical and operational aspects such as emissions control, leachate management, methane capture, and site aftercare, promoting best practices to minimise the environmental and health impacts of landfilling. In January 2025, ESWET appointed its experts to the Technical Working Group of the LAN BREF, as part of the so-called Sevilla process. In April 2025, ESWET submitted its first contributions through the relevant frontloading survey. Click here for more.  

Waste Framework Directive Revision on food and textile waste
On 18 February 2025, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement requiring the EU Commission to conduct an assessment to evaluate the potential introduction of mandatory prior sorting for mixed municipal waste by 2029. The provisional agreement was subsequently adopted by the ENVI Committee on 18 March 2025. The text now awaits formal adoption by the European Parliament and the Council.

The Affordable Energy Action Plan
On 26 February 2025, the European Commission released its Affordable Energy Action Plan which features eight key actions aimed at reducing energy costs and enhancing energy security in Europe. The recommendations include lowering electricity bills by reducing network charges and taxes, completing the Energy Union to create a more resilient energy market, and attracting investments to clean energy projects. The Affordable Energy Plan urges to prepare ahead of potential energy crises, decarbonise industry through electrification and renewable energy, and improve energy efficiency. The Plan supports the development of clean technologies and aims at streamlining permitting processes to accelerate the energy transition. 

EEA urges to reduce methane emissions
A new briefing from the European Environment Agency (EEA) highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to control and reduce methane emissions in Europe and across the world. The report notes that methane emissions from waste management have declined since 1990 thanks to improved waste treatment, increased recycling, Waste-to-Energy, and better landfill gas recovery. However, the study acknowledges that further efforts are needed to sustain and accelerate this progress. Click here for the briefing. 

European Chemicals Agency weighs in on PFAS ban 

In their first meetings of 2025, the Committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) continued their review of an EU-wide proposal to restrict PFAS. The committees reached provisional conclusions on fluorinated gases, with discussions on transport and energy applications set to continue in June. The Risk Assessment Committee also adopted 13 opinions on the classification and labeling of chemicals, including new hazard classifications for silver nitrate and synthetic amorphous silica.  

New study takes EU-wide look at waste management
In a new report, the European Environment Agency (EEA) details how European countries manage their municipal and packaging waste, breaking down efforts by waste generation, Waste-to-Energy, landfilling and recycling. Click here to find the report. 

Strategic Projects under Critical Raw Materials Act

On 25 March 2025, the European Commission announced the projects that it considers strategic under the Critical Raw Materials Act. Click here for the list.

For more policy news, visit the ESWET website.