Businesses Await Updated Legislation on Waste Management

02/ 10/ 2024

Viktoriia Kulykova, European Business Associations Committees Team Lead, participated in a conference on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in waste management in Ukraine, where she spoke in a panel discussion on the role of central executive authorities in implementing EPR. The role of government authorities in establishing an efficient system for waste collection and recycling, in accordance with the legislation and practices of European Union member states, is crucial and should encompass a wide range of aspects, from the development of a regulatory framework to overseeing the effectiveness of the system as a whole. At this stage, it is essential for Ukraine to adopt high-quality legislation, specifically the law On Packaging Waste Management. Last year, three draft laws on this topic were registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, including the government draft No. 10066 and two alternative drafts submitted by deputies. Earlier this year, the parliamentary profile committee organized a series of broad discussions on these draft laws, with business representatives also present, in order to develop a unified and agreed wording of the law. However, the business community has not yet seen the finalized version of the draft law that the government plans to submit to the Verkhovna Rada. Viktoriia Kulykova. EBA Committees Team Lead. Therefore, we would like to emphasize once again that it is extremely important to have effective dialogue with government authorities, both regarding the Packaging Waste Law and other legislative initiatives. We need to understand the stage of development of each regulatory act, the status of business proposals, and, of course, the timeline for the adoption of new regulations. In addition, it is crucial that businesses are heard on the most critical aspects of the draft law, such as the percentage of different types of waste that must be collected and recycled after the Packaging Waste Law comes into effect. The business community understands the government’s ambitious goal to reach EU member state targets for waste collection and recycling as soon as possible. However, it is important to remember that EU countries took decades to meet these targets, requiring years of effective nationwide work with the population and billions in investments to build the necessary infrastructure. Achieving these goals in a few short years is unrealistic, and setting excessively high targets in the early years of the systems existence could result in its failure and discreditation. Therefore, the European Business Association advocates for the swift adoption of quality legislation, so businesses can begin implementing it. However, this must include transitional periods and moderate targets for waste collection and recycling in the first years, ensuring the system can start working effectively. Of course, a constructive dialogue and consideration of the business perspective on other issues is critically important as well.

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Viktoriia Kulykova, European Business Association’s Committees Team Lead, participated in a conference on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in waste management in Ukraine, where she spoke in a panel discussion on the role of central executive authorities in implementing EPR.

The role of government authorities in establishing an efficient system for waste collection and recycling, in accordance with the legislation and practices of European Union member states, is crucial and should encompass a wide range of aspects, from the development of a regulatory framework to overseeing the effectiveness of the system as a whole.

At this stage, it is essential for Ukraine to adopt high-quality legislation, specifically the law “On Packaging Waste Management.” Last year, three draft laws on this topic were registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, including the government draft No. 10066 and two alternative drafts submitted by deputies. Earlier this year, the parliamentary profile committee organized a series of broad discussions on these draft laws, with business representatives also present, in order to develop a unified and agreed wording of the law. However, the business community has not yet seen the finalized version of the draft law that the government plans to submit to the Verkhovna Rada.

Viktoriia Kulykova EBA Committees Team Lead

Therefore, we would like to emphasize once again that it is extremely important to have effective dialogue with government authorities, both regarding the Packaging Waste Law and other legislative initiatives. We need to understand the stage of development of each regulatory act, the status of business proposals, and, of course, the timeline for the adoption of new regulations.

In addition, it is crucial that businesses are heard on the most critical aspects of the draft law, such as the percentage of different types of waste that must be collected and recycled after the Packaging Waste Law comes into effect. The business community understands the government’s ambitious goal to reach EU member state targets for waste collection and recycling as soon as possible. However, it is important to remember that EU countries took decades to meet these targets, requiring years of effective nationwide work with the population and billions in investments to build the necessary infrastructure. Achieving these goals in a few short years is unrealistic, and setting excessively high targets in the early years of the system’s existence could result in its failure and discreditation.

Therefore, the European Business Association advocates for the swift adoption of quality legislation, so businesses can begin implementing it. However, this must include transitional periods and moderate targets for waste collection and recycling in the first years, ensuring the system can start working effectively. Of course, a constructive dialogue and consideration of the business perspective on other issues is critically important as well.