What are the latest developments? We’ve picked out some highlights for October 2024:

New Commissioner proposed for competitive circular economy
California passes EPR for textiles

New Commissioner proposed for competitive circular economy

On 17 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented her team of upcoming Commissioners.

Her second mandate is set to be defined by competitiveness, security and democracy, as already presented in her political guidelines.

The new distribution of portfolios is significantly interlinked.

Spain’s Teresa Ribera will oversee competition, state aid and green transition, while France’s Stéphane Sejourné will take charge of industry and competitiveness.

These and other strategic portfolios have been granted to pro-climate politicians, which could be von der Leyen’s attempt to ensure that the EU adheres to the Green Deal, despite the changing geopolitical and economic environment.

Among the newly proposed Commissioners, Jessika Roswall from Sweden is designated as the Commissioner for environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy. If confirmed by Parliament, she will lead the work on the Circular Economy Act, together with Séjourné.

The Circular Economy Act will include specific measures to create a market for secondary materials and establish a single market for waste, especially in relation to critical raw materials.

Roswall is also tasked with aligning the broader goals of environmental resilience and economic competitiveness.

The next steps involve the formal approval of the new Commissioners by the European Parliament, which will conduct hearings to assess their competences.

This is expected to take place in October. Once approved, the new Commission should officially take office on 1 December.

California passes EPR for textiles

On 28 August, the California Senate passed the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (Senate Bill 707), which creates an extended producer responsibility (EPR) programme for managing textile waste under the oversight of the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

This programme applies to all clothing, apparel or other textile products (excluding items such as personal protective equipment) and requires producers of these products to join a producer responsibility organisation (PRO).

By:

  • 1 January 2026, the PRO must apply to CalRecycle with a plan for the collection, transportation, repair, sorting, recycling and safe and proper management of apparel and textiles in the state
  • 1 March 2026, CalRecycle must approve the PRO
  • 1 July 2026, all producers of in-scope products must join the approved PRO
  • With an effective date no earlier than 1 July 2028, CalRecycle must adopt regulations to implement this act, and by
  • 1 July 2030 (or sooner if CalRecycle approves the PRO’s plan), the act will subject a producer to certain civil penalties unless it is a participant in a PRO and its apparel and textiles are covered by the plan

The act requires the PRO to review the plan at least every 5 years after approval, and submit an annual report on its activities to the department.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Responsible Textile Recovery Act on 28 September, making California the first US state to pass an EPR programme for textiles.