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Meetings Thursday 17 March 2022

● Council of the EU   17/03/2022 21:25 | MEETING | Main results - Environment Council, 17 March 2022   EU environment ministers met in Brussels to reach an agreement on a new regulation on batteries and waste batteries. Ministers also discussed the “Fit for 55” package and the reduction in the consumption of products associated to deforestation and forest degradation.

Council of the EU
Environment Council, 17 March 2022

Main results

Infographic - How the EU delivers the green transitionSee full infographic
Fit for 55 package

The Council held a policy debate on the files in the “Fit for 55 package” that are within the remit of the Environment Council. The package aims to bring the EU’s climate and energy legislative framework into line with the objective of achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050 and its target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

Ministers exchanged views on an emissions trading system for the road transport and buildings sectors (ETS RTB) and, in particular, on the effectiveness of the tool in reducing emissions with a view to reaching the -55 % target in 2030.

Ministers presented options and key parameters they considered to be the most relevant to improve the social acceptance of such a scheme while guaranteeing its effectiveness, as well as some possible alternatives to this scheme.

Ministers discussed the parameters that should be set for the Social Climate Fund to enable it to effectively support the most vulnerable groups if the ETS RTB is set up.
Presidency note
Fit for 55 (background information)
Batteries and waste batteries

Ministers adopted a general approach on a proposal for a regulation updating EU legislation on batteries and waste batteries.



Batteries are a key element of the clean energy transition. The new rules will promote the competitiveness of European industry and production chains and make more batteries available for our shift towards zero-emission modes of transport. The new rules will ensure end-of-life batteries will be properly collected and will not end up discarded in the environment. This will prevent toxic substances contained in them from being released in the environment and drastically limit the wasting of precious materials that could be recovered in the context of a circular economy.Barbara Pompili - French Minister for Ecological Transition

The proposal aims to reduce the environmental and social impacts of batteries throughout all stages of the battery life cycle - from sourcing materials to production, use and recycling.

The proposal also aims to address discrepancies in the internal market due to uneven rules and information, by creating a level playing field for economic operators through a set of clearer common rules.
Sustainable batteries: member states ready to start negotiations with the European Parliament, press release 17 March 2022
Commission proposal for a regulation on batteries and waste batteries + ADD 1
Deforestation and forest degradation

Ministers held a policy debate on the Commission’s proposal to reduce to a minimum the consumption of products coming from supply chains associated with deforestation or forest degradation.

The proposal was published on 17 November 2021 and sets mandatory due diligence rules for operators that make available on the EU market commodities and derived products, such as leather, chocolate and furniture, associated with deforestation and forest degradation.

Ministers exchanged views on how to ensure an efficient and effective due diligence system in order to achieve the traceability needed to ensure that the products included in the regulation have not involved deforestation and forest degradation. Ministers also shared their views and presented suggestions for common definitions of key terms for the operational application of the regulation.
Presidency note
Commission proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products
Greening the European Semester

During a lunch discussion, ministers held an exchange of views on Greening the European Semester. The European Semester is a cycle of economic, fiscal, labour and social policy coordination within the EU.

Ministers focused their discussion on how the European Semester can better integrate the challenges of an inclusive and fair green transition, while ensuring the achievement of the European objectives in the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity.

Ministers also exchanged views on the key principles and good practices for taking into account the just transition in economic policies, particularly in terms of analysing the distribution of effects, which should be strengthened in the European Semester.
Commission communication on the Annual Sustainable Growth Survey 2022
Greening the European Semester - background information
Convention on mercury

The Council adopted without discussion two Council decisions relating to the EU’s position at Conference of Parties 4.2 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The Convention provides a framework for the control and limitation of the use of mercury and mercury compounds and of the anthropogenic emissions and releases from such substances to air, water and land, with a view to protecting human health and the environment.

The first decision concerns the amendment of Annex A to the Convention to extend its scope to additional mercury-added products, including certain types of lamps. It also concerns the amendment of Annex B to extend its scope by setting a final phase-out date for a mercury process covered by that Annex.

The second decision aims to define more precisely the scope of the Convention’s provisions on waste, and in particular Article 11(3) on the obligation to treat the mercury waste concerned in accordance with the principle of environmentally sound management.

The 2nd segment of the 4th conference of the parties (COP) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury will take place from 21 to 25 March 2022 in Bali, Indonesia.

The Council also adopted the opening statement by the European Union and its member states at the conference of parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The opening statement has been adapted notably to reflect the position of the EU and its member states on the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine.
Persistent organic pollutants

The French presidency briefed ministers on the state of play of the proposal for a regulation on persistent organic pollutants (POP). The Council adopted its negotiating position at ambassador level on 11 March with a view to future trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament.

The proposal amends the annexes to the current regulation, with the aim of eliminating or minimising the emissions of these chemicals from waste.

Although persistent organic pollutants are generally no longer used in new products, they can still be found in waste coming from some consumer products such as waterproof textiles, furniture, plastics and electronic equipment. The proposal introduces stringent limits for the following three substances, or groups of substances, in waste:
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts and related compounds – found in waterproof textiles and fire-fighting foams;
dicofol – a pesticide, previously used in agriculture;
pentachlorophenol, its salts and esters – found in treated wood and textiles.

It also sets stricter limit values for a number of other substances already listed in the annexes, such as dioxins and furans, which are present as impurities in ashes and soot. Waste with POP content above those limit values has to be treated in specific ways to ensure that the POP content is destroyed or irreversibly transformed.
Member states agree to reduce persistent organic pollutants in waste, press release 17 March 2022
Commission proposal amending the annexes of the regulation on persistent organic pollutants
Clean Energy Transitions Programme

The Council approved the Commission's intention to join a non-binding joint commitment to accelerate the transformation towards a net zero energy system through the IEA (International Energy Agency) Clean Energy Transitions Programme.
Other business

The Presidency and the Commission shared information on the second segment of the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), which took place from 28 February to 2 March in Nairobi, Kenya. The overall theme of the session was “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”.

The Commission shared information on a new proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law, which defines new environmental criminal offences and introduces more detailed provisions on sanctions, rules to strengthen enforcement and measures to assist people who report offences and cooperate with enforcement authorities.

The Commission called on member states for urgent action regarding the ratification of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

The Estonian and Finnish delegations shared information on the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention). The Water Convention was adopted in Helsinki in 1992. It is a legally binding instrument promoting cooperation in the sustainable management of transboundary water resources.
Commission proposal for a new environmental crimes directive
Information from the Estonian and Finnish delegations


Meeting information

Meeting n°3856
Brussels
17 March 2022
09:30
Preparatory documents
Provisional agenda
Provisional list of A items
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
Background brief
Outcome documents
List of participants

The Council today adopted a decision on the signing of a status agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova regarding operational activities… Press material Thursday 17 March 2022   ● Council of the EU   17/03/2022 18:05 | Press release | Moldova: Council adopts decision to sign agreement for Frontex operational support in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine   The Council today adopted a decision on the signing of a status agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova regarding operational activities carried out by Frontex. The agreement will be signed today, so that Frontex operational support can be provided to Moldova as soon as possible under the provisional application of the agreement. The Council also agreed to send the draft decision on the conclusion of the agreement to the European Parliament, which needs to give its consent for the final conclusion of the agreement. A status agreement will allow Frontex to assist Moldova in border management, through the deployment of teams which can support Moldovan authorities in tasks such as registration and border checks. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over 300 000 refugees have entered Moldova and the number continues to grow. Moldovan border management authorities are facing the challenge of regulating this influx of refugees while monitoring a border with an active war zone. The EU is currently providing support to these efforts through an existing working arrangement with Frontex concluded in 2008, which allows for information exchange, training and coordination of certain joint operational measures. On 14 March 2022, the Council authorised the opening of negotiations on a status agreement, which will allow for additional operational support to quickly respond to the current challenges. Press material Thursday 17 March 2022   ● Council of the EU   17/03/2022 13:56 | Press release | Sustainable batteries: member states ready to start negotiations with Parliament   The Council today adopted a general approach on a proposal for a regulation to strengthen EU legislation on batteries and waste batteries. The new rules will promote the development of sustainable and safe battery production chains throughout their life cycle and create a level playing field on the internal market. "Batteries are a key element of the clean energy transition. The new rules will promote the competitiveness of European industry and production chains and make more batteries available for our shift towards zero-emission modes of transport. The new rules will ensure end of life batteries will be properly collected and will not end up discarded in the environment. This will prevent toxic substances contained in them from being released in the environment and drastically limit the wasting of precious materials that could be recovered in the context of a circular economy." Barbara Pompili - Minister for Ecological Transition. The Council negotiating position keeps and strengthens the fundamentals of the Commission’s original proposal, including the “battery passport”, tight restrictions for hazardous substances, a carbon footprint for batteries, extended producer responsibility and the obligation for new batteries to contain recycled materials and due diligence requirements for supply chains. The general approach extends the scope of the regulation to ready-made battery modules and to all electric vehicle batteries. It keeps the objectives for producers to collect portable waste batteries, and introduces a dedicated collection objective for portable batteries for light means of transport (e.g. electric bikes, e-mopeds, e-scooters). The general approach maintains an ambitious and balanced timeframe by putting the emphasis on the provisions related to batteries for electric vehicles, in particular regarding the carbon footprint and performance requirements. The development of this market is one of the conditions for the decarbonisation of the economy and society. The general approach also guarantees a right to initiative for member states to propose restrictions on the presence of hazardous substances in batteries at every step of their life cycle. It also aims to make the text more coherent and clearer and facilitate its application by member states and economic actors on the market, who need clarity and certainty to commit the investments needed for the green transition. Background and next steps The proposal for a regulation on batteries, presented by the European Commission on 10 December 2020, aims to set up a circular economy sector by targeting all stages of the life cycle of batteries, from design to waste treatment. This initiative is of major importance, particularly in view of the massive development of electric mobility, from an environmental, economic and social point of view. It is also very important in terms of technological sovereignty for the European Union. The new regulation will replace the current batteries directive of 2006 and complete the existing legislation, particularly in terms of waste management. The Commission's proposal was the subject of an initial exchange of views during the Environment Council of March 2021, an initial progress report in the Environment Council in June 2021 and a second progress report in the Environment Council in December 2021. The European Parliament adopted its negotiating position in the plenary on 10 March 2022. The Council and Parliament will now start trilogue negotiations with a view to progressing towards an agreement on the final text in first reading. Council general approach on the proposal for a regulation on batteries and waste batteries Commission proposal for a regulation on batteries and waste batteries + ADD 1

Les ministres de l’environnement ont endossé le mandat du Conseil pour négocier avec le Parlement européen un accord sur le règlement visant à restre… Documents destinés à la presse jeudi 17 mars 2022   ● Conseil de l'UE   17/03/2022 14:39 | Communiqué de presse | Les états membres s’accordent pour réduire les polluants organiques persistants dans le déchets   Les ministres de l’environnement ont endossé le mandat du Conseil pour négocier avec le Parlement européen un accord sur le règlement visant à restreindre davantage la présence de polluants organiques persistants (POP) dans les déchets. Le mandat de négociation a été formellement approuvé par le Comité des représentants permanents (Coreper) le vendredi 11 mars. "Les polluants organiques persistants sont des substances chimiques particulièrement néfastes pour l’environnement ainsi que pour la santé humaine. Pour sécuriser la progression vers une économie de plus en plus circulaire et garantir la qualité des matières premières secondaires, il est d’une importance cruciale que les déchets ne contiennent pas de polluants organiques persistants." Barbara Pompili - Ministre de la Transition Écologique La proposition de la Commission modifie les annexes IV et V du règlement POP en introduisant de nouvelles substances sur la liste de substances à restreindre dans les déchets, notamment l’acide perfluorooctanoïque (APFO), ses sels et les composés apparentés, présents dans les textiles imperméables et les mousses anti-incendie. Cette substance est toxique pour la reproduction et cancérigène. La proposition met par ailleurs à jour les valeurs limites de concentration pour certaines substances figurant sur cette liste. Les modifications apportées par le Conseil à la proposition de la Commission concernent surtout les valeurs limites de dioxines et furanes (PCDD/PCDF). Les dioxines et les furanes ne sont pas produits ou ajoutés intentionnellement dans les matériaux, mais présents en tant qu’impuretés dans certaines cendres. Le Conseil a fixé la valeur limite à 10 μg/kg pour les dioxines et furanes, et a renvoyé la date d’application de la valeur limite pour ces substances dans les cendres et suies domestiques au 1er Janvier 2025, afin que l’entrée en vigueur de cette valeur soit alignée avec celle des exigences de collecte séparée des déchets ménagers prévue par la directive cadre sur les déchets. Les modifications apportées par le Conseil visent à faciliter la mise en œuvre des nouvelles valeurs limites. Elles permettront notamment aux autorités des Etats membres de procéder à des études et recherches supplémentaires afin de pouvoir établir les processus nécessaires pour une mise en œuvre efficace du règlement. Contexte et prochaines étapes La proposition de règlement vise à mettre la législation européenne en conformité avec les engagements internationaux de l’UE, notamment au titre de la Convention de Stockholm sur les polluants organiques persistants. À cette fin, la proposition introduit certaines substances dans l’annexe IV du règlement POP (règlement (UE) 2019/1021 du Parlement européen et du Conseil concernant les polluants organiques persistants) et met à jour les valeurs limites de concentration pour certaines substances figurant sur les listes des annexes IV et V du même règlement. La Commission a soumis sa proposition au Parlement européen et au Conseil le 28 octobre 2021. Le mandat établi par le Conseil servira de base dans les négociations avec le Parlement européen en vue de parvenir à un accord final sur la future législation. Une fois qu'un accord politique provisoire aura été trouvé entre les deux institutions, une procédure formelle d'adoption inscrira l'accord dans la législation. Mandat de négociation du Conseil avec le Parlement européen sur la modification du règlement POP + COR 1 Proposition de la Commission modifiant les annexes du règlement POP Règlement POP