Activities of Michela GIUFFRIDA related to 2018/0172(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (debate) IT
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment
Amendments (44)
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The high functionality and relatively low cost of plastic means that this material is increasingly ubiquitous in everyday life. Its growing use in short- lived applications, which are not designed for re-use or cost-effective recycling means that related production and consumption patterns have become increasingly inefficient and linear. Therefore, in the context of the Circular Economy Action Plan32, the Commission concluded in the European Strategy for Plastics33 that the steady increase in plastic waste generation and its leakage into our environment, in particular intowaste which, even if not consumed or used near the sea or the ocean, adversely affects the marine environment, must be tackled in order to achieve a truly circular lifecycle for plastics. _________________ 32 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: "Closing the loop –- An EU action plan for the Circular Economy" (COM(2015)0614 final). 33 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions "A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy" (COM(2018)28 final).
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The single-use plastic products shouldmust be addressed by one or several measures, depending on various factors, such as the availability of suitable and more sustainable alternatives, the feasibility to change consumption patterns, and the extent to which they are already covered by existing Union legislation, bearing in mind inter alia the environmental and economic impact of the choice of alternative materials, particularly in farming.
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) The replacement or restriction of plastic products covered by this Directive must take place in such an appropriate transitional period and in such a way as not to jeopardise the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the production and placing on the market of the new product identified as an alternative, in particular if it is likely to have negative consequences for the identification and cultivation of the raw material required to produce it.
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Certain single-use plastic products end up in the environment as a result of inappropriate disposal through sewers or other inappropriate release into the environment. Given their nature, these products are covered by Directive 91/271/EEC on urban waste water treatment, but remain a primary cause of the problems of pollution and incorrect disposal in waste water, as well as rainwater run-off. Therefore, single-use plastic products that are frequently disposed of through sewers otherwise inappropriately disposed of should be subject to marking requirements. The marking should inform consumers about appropriate waste disposal options and/or waste disposal options to be avoided and/or about the negative environmental impacts of litter as a result of inappropriate disposal. The Commission should be empowered to establish a harmonised format for the marking and when doing so should, where appropriate, test the perception of the proposed marking with representative groups of consumers to ensure that it is effective and clearly understandable.
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) WAlso with regard to single-use plastic products for which there are no readily available suitable and more sustainable alternatives, Member States should, in line with the polluter pays principle, also introduce extended producer responsibility schemes to cover the costs of waste management and clean-up of litter as well as the costs of awareness-raising measures to prevent and reduce such litter, without prejudice to the necessary assessment of the proportionality of the system to be applied in relation to the size of the producer enterprise.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 24 a (new)
Recital 24 a (new)
(24a) It is also desirable that, together with the information that the European Environment Agency is required to provide, the Commission should also include the results of the study by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) of a marine biodegradability standard that is scientifically accepted at European level, the subject of which is both the products in the annex to the Directive and the proposed alternatives, as referred to in Article 15 below.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
New-generation single-use products for which a European biodegradability standard has been scientifically established by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and single-use products made using recycled raw materials shall be regarded as some of the alternatives that may be used to reduce consumption of single-use plastic products listed in Part A of the Annex or to restrict the placing on the market of single-use plastic products listed in Part B of the Annex.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) '‘single-use plastic product'’ means a product listed in the annex that is made wholly or partly from plastic and that is not conceived, designed or placed on the market to accomplish, within its life span, multiple trips or rotations by being returned to the producer for refill or re- used for the same purpose for which it was conceived;
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Within three years of the end-date for transposition of this Directive, the Commission shall assess the significant reduction in these products in the various Member States in order to evaluate progress with this and to adjust the significant reduction targets among the various Member States in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 of this Directive.
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Those measures may include national consumption reduction targets, assessment of the impact of using alternative materials, with particular reference to those that are recyclable and are derived from agricultural and food products, measures ensuring that reusable alternatives to those products are made available at the point of sale to the final consumer, economic instruments such as ensuring that single- use plastic products are not provided free of charge at the point of sale to the final consumer. Those measures may vary depending on the environmental impact of the products referred to in the first subparagraph.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
The reusable alternatives to food containers listed in Part A of the Annex shall include wooden food boxes, with or without a lid, intended for the packaging and transport of agricultural and fisheries products, in accordance with Directive 2018/852 of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 of 25 June 2015, which stipulates that the purpose of the EFSI should be to help resolve the difficulties in financing and implementing strategic, transformative and productive investments with high economic, environmental and societal added value contributing to achieving Union policy objectives such as those set out in Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013, stakeholders may make use of the resources of the European Fund for Strategic Investments in order to take the measures necessary to convert from production of single-use plastic products listed in Part A of the Annex.
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission mayust adopt an implementing act laying down the methodology for the calculation and verification of the significant reduction in the consumption of the single-use plastic products referred to in paragraph 1. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 16(2).
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – indent 1 (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – indent 1 (new)
- With reference to the single-use plastic products listed in Part A of the Annex as referred to in Article 4 of this Directive, the Commission must monitor whether, if proposed alternatives are derived from products of agricultural origin which are favoured because of their characteristics of biodegradability and sustainability, they have any adverse impact on consumer prices and as a result of the cultivation of raw materials used for new production, either in Member States or in third countries.
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 (new)
- In the case of new-generation single-use products for which a marine biodegradability standard that is scientifically accepted and devised by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has been adopted, and in the case of products made from recycled raw materials in accordance with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy of 16 January 2018, which serve as replacements for the products listed in Part A of the Annex, Member States may modify tariffs levied on the raw materials used to produce them, in order to promote imports from third countries.
Amendment 128 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – indent 3 (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – indent 3 (new)
- In the case of new-generation single-use products for which a marine biodegradability standard that is scientifically accepted and devised by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has been adopted, and in the case of products made from recycled raw materials in accordance with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy of 16 January 2018, which serve as replacements for the products listed in Part A of the Annex, Member States may adopt tax incentives to promote the use of the raw materials needed to produce them.
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
(1) With reference to the single-use plastic products listed in Part B of the Annex as referred to in Article 5 of this Directive, the Commission must monitor whether, if proposed alternatives are derived from products of agricultural origin which are favoured because of their characteristics of biodegradability and sustainability, they have any adverse impact on consumer prices and as a result of the cultivation of raw materials used for new production, either in Member States or in third countries.
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 (new)
(2) In particular, Member States shall prohibit the use of single-use plastic straws, cutlery (forks, spoons, knives and containers) and plates to serve food in the canteens of public bodies (schools, hospitals and public-authority offices).
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
As substitutes for single-use plastic products listed in Part B of the Annex, Member States shall promote the placing on the market of more sustainable and environmentally sound alternatives such as bamboo or birch sticks which do not endanger food hygiene or food safety, good hygienic practices and good manufacturing practice within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 or the principles of the Union's food legislation (Regulation (EC) No 1025/2012).
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 b (new)
In the case of new-generation single-use products for which a marine biodegradability standard that is scientifically accepted and devised by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has been adopted, and in the case of products made from recycled raw materials in accordance with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy of 16 January 2018, which serve as replacements for the products listed in Part B of the Annex, Member States may adopt tax incentives to promote the use of the raw materials needed to produce them.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 c (new)
In the case of new-generation single-use products for which a marine biodegradability standard that is scientifically accepted and devised by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has been adopted, and in the case of products made from recycled raw materials in accordance with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy of 16 January 2018, which serve as replacements for the products listed in Part B of the Annex, Member States may modify tariffs levied on the raw materials used to produce them, in order to promote imports from third countries.
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 d (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 d (new)
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 of 25 June 2015, which stipulates that the purpose of the EFSI should be to help resolve the difficulties in financing and implementing strategic, transformative and productive investments with high economic, environmental and societal added value contributing to achieving Union policy objectives such as those set out in Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013, stakeholders may make use of the resources of the European Fund for Strategic Investments in order to take the measures necessary to convert from production of single-use plastic products listed in Part B of the Annex.
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph –1 (new)
Article 7 – paragraph –1 (new)
-1. In view of their nature, the products listed in Part D of the Annex must be marked with a particular marking by the Member States in addition to the measures taken under Directive 91/271/EEC on the treatment of urban waste water and in order to prevent effectively incorrect disposal in discharges and storm water overflows.
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that each single-use plastic product listed in Part D of the Annex placed on the market bears a conspicuous, clearly legible and indelible marking informing consumers at least of one or more of the following:
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the presence of plastics in the productfact that a product is made of plastic and that, solely because of its single-use function, if not correctly disposed of, it may contribute to the increase in marine litter.
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
On grounds of proportionality, small and micro enterprises which manufacture fishing gear containing plastics shall not be covered by the extended producer responsibility scheme.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – indent 1 (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – indent 1 (new)
- With regard to the schemes referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall require manufacturers of the single- use plastic products listed in Part E of the Annex to contribute to the costs of raising consumer awareness in order to avoid encouraging short lifetimes or the premature disposal of products, particularly by supplying information about responsible collection, disposal and dispersion.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – indent 2 (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – indent 2 (new)
- With regard to the schemes referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall require manufacturers of fishing gear containing single-use plastic listed in Part E of the Annex to contribute to the costs of raisingiconsumer awareness in order to avoid encouraging short lifetimes or the premature disposal of products, particularly by supplying information about responsible collection, disposal and dispersion.
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – indent 3 (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – indent 3 (new)
- On grounds of proportionality, small and micro enterprises which manufacture fishing gear containing plastics shall not be covered by the extended producer responsibility scheme.
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Member States shall take measures to inform consumers of the single-use plastic products listed in Part G of the Anwith which this Directive is concernexd and fishing gear containing plastic about the following:
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall also adopt measures to avoid encouraging short lifetimes or the premature disposal of products, with the aim of striking a balance between extension of the lifetime of products, conversion of waste into resources (secondary raw materials), industrial symbiosis, innovation, consumer demand, environmental protection and growth policy at all stages of the product cycle.
Amendment 166 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Therefore, in line with what the European Parliament called for in its resolution of 4 July 2017 on a longer lifetime for products, the Commission, and also the Member States, shall assist local authorities, undertakings and associations in conducting awareness-raising campaigns for consumers concerning increasing the lifetime of products, particularly by supplying advice on responsible disposal or dispersion.
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)
(a) the information about single-use plastic products listed in Part B of the Annex which have been placed on the market of the Union each year, in order to have an up-to-date picture of the effectiveness of the restrictions on placing in the market pursuant to Article 5 and in accordance with the assessments to be conducted by the Commission;
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)
(b) information on the measures taken by Member States for the purposes of Article 5.
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – indent 1 (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – indent 1 (new)
- The data referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph shall be updated annually within 12 months from the end of the reference year for which it is collected. Where possible, spatial data services as defined in Article 3(4) of Directive 2007/2/EC shall be used to present those data sets.
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – indent 1 (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – indent 1 (new)
- For purposes of the general periodic updating at Union level as referred to in paragraph 3 of this article, the European Environment Agency shall also include the results of the study by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) of a marine biodegradability standard that is scientifically accepted at European level, the subject of which is both the products in the Annex to the Directive and any proposed alternatives.
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
(1) At the time of transposition of this Directive, the Commission shall promote research by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) into a marine biodegradability standard that will be scientifically accepted at European level, the subject of which is both the products to which the Directive refers and any proposed alternatives. In its assessment under paragraph 1 of this Article, the Commission is obliged to take the results of the study into account and to promote as far as possible European harmonisation of the standards identified so that Member States can be guided by them in complying with the obligations under the Directive.
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(ca) sufficient scientific and technical progress has been made, and criteria or a standard for biodegradability in the marine environment applicable to single- use plastic products within the scope of this Directive and their single-use substitutes have been developed, in order, where appropriate, to determine which products no longer need to be subject to measures to reduce consumption.
Amendment 184 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – part A – title
Annex I – part A – title
ASingle-use plastic products covered by Article 4 on consumption reduction Beverage stirrers
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – part A – indent 1
Annex I – part A – indent 1
— Food containers, i.e. receptacles such as boxes, with or without a cover, used to contain food that is intended for immediate consumption from the receptacle either on-the-spot or take-away without any further preparation, such as food containers used for fast food, except beverage containers, plates and packets and single-use wrappers containing foodresh agrofood products and meat for domestic use.
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – part A – indent 2 a (new)
Annex I – part A – indent 2 a (new)
- Single-use plastic boxes for the packaging and transport of agricultural and fisheries products
Amendment 194 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – part B – indent 5
Annex I – part B – indent 5
Amendment 210 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – part E – indent 8 a (new)
Annex I – part E – indent 8 a (new)
- Single-use plastic boxes for the packaging and transport of agricultural and fisheries products
Amendment 213 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – part F – indent 1 a (new)
Annex I – part F – indent 1 a (new)
- Single-use wrappers containing fresh agrofood products and meat for domestic use