In a written answer on 16 July 2026, Environment Commissioner Roswall committed to providing early clarification on the undefined concept of 'necessary for handling' in Annex V of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), aiming to reduce legal uncertainty for industry. The answer, responding to a parliamentary question led by Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE) and co-signed by 17 other MEPs, signals that the Commission will discuss progress with Member States and stakeholders already during 2026, well ahead of the formal deadline of early 2027 for guidelines. The MEPs had warned that without timely interpretation, companies cannot determine whether widely used solutions such as plastic shrink wrap remain permitted, and that premature shifts away from grouped packaging could increase overall waste.
Roswall confirmed that an external contractor has been appointed to assist with preparatory work, including illustrative examples and further clarification of key concepts. The Commission intends to discuss preliminary outcomes during 2026 in close dialogue with Member States and stakeholders, aiming to provide legal certainty, clarity, and predictability for industry and national authorities. The answer does not set a specific date for the guidelines but stresses the Commission's commitment to avoid undue delay. On the risk of unintended environmental impacts, Roswall pointed to the impact assessment accompanying the PPWR, which concluded that Annex V contributes significantly to reducing packaging waste overall. She also cited the involvement of the European Food Safety Authority in developing exemptions for single-use plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg as an example of ensuring a robust scientific basis.
The answer contains no numerical targets or binding deadlines beyond the existing regulatory timeline. It is largely a declarative commitment to accelerate work already underway, with the concrete step of appointing an external contractor. Institutional follow-up is expected through the comitology process and stakeholder dialogues later in 2026, with the formal guidelines due by early 2027. The policy orientation is toward harmonised, practical implementation that balances waste reduction with industry predictability, but the answer leaves the substantive interpretation of 'necessary for handling' for future guidance.