Key regulatory changes, legislative and policy developments in 2025

4 February 2025

Regulatory changes

The circular economy agenda continues to evolve, bringing significant regulatory changes in 2025.

Businesses must prepare for new requirements across packaging, electronics, batteries, sustainability reporting and product safety.

PPWR

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) enters into force in February 2025, with its provisions becoming applicable in August 2026 after an 18-month transition period (for more information, see article here).

Companies will need to adapt to the new framework, which replaces the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, and ensure compliance with stricter packaging standards.

Universal charger mandate

The EU’s universal charger mandate, which took effect on 28 December 2024, requires USB-C as the standard charging port for a wide range of electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets and cameras. This regulation aims to reduce electronic waste and improve consumer convenience. Throughout 2025, manufacturers and retailers must ensure compliance, although laptops will have until April 2026 to meet the new requirements.

CSRD

From January 2025, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) expands its obligations to a broader group of companies. Until now, only those companies with more than 500 employees were required to report on their social and environmental impact.

Under the new framework, companies with more than 250 employees will also be subject to reporting obligations, requiring them to disclose how their activities affect society, the environment and climate, as well as how external sustainability risks impact their financial performance. Even businesses that are not directly subject to the Directive may be affected, if they are part of the supply chain of a company that must comply.

Product Safety Regulation

The EU Product Safety Regulation, which came into force on 13 December 2024, applies to all consumer products not covered by sector-specific safety regulations. It introduces stricter obligations for manufacturers, importers and distributors, including requirements for traceability along the supply chain and the reporting of safety incidents to authorities. While the regulation covers a wide range of goods, medical devices, food, animal feed and antiques are exempt.

Batteries Regulation

The EU Batteries Regulation will introduce key changes in 2025, particularly in data reporting and waste classification. By August 2025, a new Implementing Regulation for Article 76 will define reporting formats for battery production, collection and recycling, requiring companies to comply with stricter transparency and quality checks. To ensure compliance, businesses will need to prepare for enhanced reporting obligations and updated waste management requirements.

Legislative and non-legislative initiatives

Beyond new regulatory obligations entering into force, 2025 will also see the launch of key legislative and non-legislative initiatives.

Revision of WEEE Directive

The new European Commission is preparing a revision of the WEEE Directive, following a 2023 public consultation assessing its effectiveness.

Competitiveness Compass

The Commission has also begun its mandate with the Competitiveness Compass, outlining its industrial strategy for the next five years. While non-binding, this document signals a strong focus on industrial policy and competitiveness, including plans for a Circular Economy Act expected in 2026. Work on this initiative will begin in 2025.

Waste Framework Directive

At the same time, the EU co-legislators—the European Parliament and Council—will finalise the revision of the Waste Framework Directive, including new requirements for textiles and food waste.

Secondary legislation for batteries and packaging

Meanwhile, the Commission will develop secondary legislation under the Batteries Regulation and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, establishing detailed implementation rules.

On the issue of batteries, the Commission is revising the European Waste List to introduce new classifications for battery types, to improve waste tracking and recycling efficiency. Adoption is expected in Q3 2025, with implementation beginning in early 2026.

Eco-design

Similarly, work will progress on eco-design criteria under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, focusing on product groups such as iron, steel, aluminum, textiles, furniture and ICT. The Ecodesign Forum expert group will play a key role in shaping these criteria.

PFAS

A major decision is also expected in 2025 on the proposed ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). If the European Commission approves the European Chemicals Agency’s recommendation, it would be one of the most extensive chemical bans since the REACH Regulation in 2007, significantly impacting industries reliant on PFAS.

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