ECRN welcomes the European Commission’s plan to propose a Circular Economy Act (CEA) – a key step to accelerate Europe’s transition towards a resource-efficient, competitive, and resilient economy.
The proposal offers a unique opportunity to consolidate the progress achieved under the European Green Deal and set clear direction for Europe’s circular transformation. For ECRN, the circular economy is not only about environmental protection – it is a strategic industrial policy that strengthens Europe’s resilience, reduces dependency on imported raw materials, and drives innovation across value chains.
The network emphasises that regions play a crucial role in making circularity a reality on the ground. Their experience in implementing circular policies, supporting industrial symbiosis, and fostering cooperation between local stakeholders can greatly contribute to achieving the EU’s circular ambitions.
ECRN’s position paper highlights the need for a comprehensive and coherent framework that:
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Addresses the entire lifecycle of materials, from production to reuse and recycling.
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Promotes harmonisation and legal clarity, reducing fragmentation and barriers to innovation.
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Stimulates market demand for circular, recycled, and biobased materials through public procurement and fiscal incentives.
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Strengthens regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and access to finance for circular projects.
The network also calls for the Circular Economy Act to build on existing EU legislation – such as the Waste Framework Directive, the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation, and the REACH revision – to ensure coherence, predictability, and effective implementation.
By providing a strong governance framework and supporting all regions to act, the Circular Economy Act can become a cornerstone of Europe’s sustainable industrial transformation, ensuring long-term competitiveness and prosperity within planetary boundaries.
