Single Market: Commission presents strategy to simplify rules and EPR

On 21 May 2025, the European Commission published its long-term vision for the Single Market.

Such a strategy is not setting legal requirements, but outlining points that shall be addressed in future policy developments.

Dismantling barriers

Here, the Commission came up with a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the EU’s internal market by dismantling what it perceives to be the 10 most acute barriers to product and service flow.

The non-binding Communication emphasises the role of the Single Market as a key lever for competitiveness, innovation and resilience. It also outlines a comprehensive agenda to simplify rules and reduce bureaucracy.

The new strategy places strong focus on addressing “fragmented rules on packaging, labelling and waste, and announces several measures in the area of extended producer responsibility (EPR)”.

The Commission identifies fragmented national EPR schemes as a key barrier for businesses operating across borders, especially SMEs.

Producers face high administrative burdens due to multiple national registration and reporting requirements.

Harmonised and digitalised EPR

To address this, the Commission aims to harmonise and digitalise EPR compliance through a “one-stop shop” approach for information, registration and reporting.

The Commission also proposes to remove authorised representative requirements and reduce reporting obligations (including limiting them to an annual frequency).

Furthermore, the Commission announces its intention to ease the adoption of EU-wide end-of-waste criteria, particularly for priority waste feedstocks. Cross-border shipments of waste feedstocks for recycling shall also be facilitated.

While legislative changes for the removal and reduction of EPR requirements are foreseen under an Omnibus package later this year, the other proposals will be addressed in the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, expected in late 2026 (see article here).

Landbell Group is carefully monitoring these developments and will actively engage in the upcoming stakeholder consultations.

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