The European Commission has launched a public consultation and Call for Evidence on the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, marking a pivotal phase in the legislative development process aimed at fostering a more sustainable economic model across the EU.
The initiative seeks to gather input from a broad range of stakeholders, including industry representatives, civil society, and citizens, to identify barriers and opportunities for scaling up circular economy practices. The feedback will inform the Commission’s impact assessment and guide the formulation of the final legislative proposal, slated for adoption in 2026.
The proposed Act is expected to underpin the EU’s transition towards a circular economy by strengthening economic resilience, enhancing competitiveness, supporting decarbonisation efforts, and boosting the supply and demand for high-quality recycled materials. Central to the Act is the establishment of a Single Market for secondary raw materials.
The proposal builds on recommendations from key reports, including the Letta and Draghi reviews, as well as inputs from industry through the Antwerp Declaration, the European Council’s Budapest Declaration, and the European Parliament.
By aligning with strategic frameworks such as the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal, the Act is intended to position the EU as a global leader in circular economy practices by 2030, with a target to double the bloc’s circularity rate.
The consultation will also ensure coherence with other recent legislative instruments, including the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the Critical Raw Materials Act, the Single Market Strategy, and the Steel and Metals Action Plan.
All interested parties are invited to submit their feedback via the Commission’s Have Your Say portal. The consultation period remains open until 6 November 2025.
