EU tightening on the Green Deal, a paradox for virtuous Italian SMEs

In recent years, after the approval of the European Green Deal at the end of 2019, numerous legislative measures have followed one another from Brussels aimed at accelerating the ecological transition.

SMEs have always looked closely at European strategies on this issue, since it is well known that Europe has played and still plays a leading role, also in the international debate, towards sustainability objectives. Over time, this approach has favored an acceleration of the Italian transition paths, with positive effects not only on the environment but also on the competitiveness and economic development of some sectors; there is no doubt that, for example, the results achieved in our country in terms of decarbonisation derive from the objectives set at the Community level.

However, in recent months, some implementation measures of the Green Deal are causing much concern, as there is a very strong tightening in the proposed solutions. The topic of greatest attention today is that of the reform of EU legislation on packaging and packaging waste, the subject of a proposal for a Regulation by the European Commission. The first element of concern concerns precisely the proposed regulatory instrument, since the choice of a Regulation, and not a Directive, leaves little room for individual states to choose the models and tools to adopt to achieve the objectives. A choice which, paradoxically, risks penalizing countries such as Italy which, in terms of packaging management, already boasts important results being first among the large European countries for per capita recycling of packaging materials, and which has developed technologically more advanced collection, sorting and recycling of packaging materials. Not surprisingly, compared to the current goals set for 2025, Italy has already reached and exceeded the post-consumer packaging recycling targets (with almost 74 percent compared to the 65 expected by Europe).

Regardless of the legal form chosen, concerns are also high regarding the contents. In fact, without an in-depth impact assessment, the proposed Regulation provides for the imposition of some restrictions and bans on some forms of packaging, the setting of design criteria (in the wake of an approach already proposed by the European Commission with the Ecodesign Regulation) and the imposition of binding systems of void returnable bonds. The goal is to push reuse as much as possible, an objective that can be shared in general terms, but which cannot be seen as the only choice (at the expense, for example, of positive forms of recycling) to be pursued without evaluating its feasibility production, distribution and consumption characteristics. Think, for example, of the economic and organizational impacts of the imposition of binding systems of returnable deposits; or the imposition of technical characteristics for packaging in the food sector, without a careful analysis of the needs that the sector has in terms of product preservation.

It is therefore evident that this is a measure with a great impact, both on companies that produce packaging and on many sectors that use them. In our opinion, important objectives such as prevention in the production of packaging waste and the promotion of reusable packaging solutions can be pursued not with rigid prohibitions, binding standards and models, but with solutions aimed at positively directing production and behavior in the distribution phases and use, as already happens, for example, through a diversification in the setting of the environmental contribution applied to the packaging placed on the market.

It is no coincidence that there are many virtuous behaviors adopted by companies, which over time have oriented both production and use towards more sustainable packaging solutions, in the choice and weight of the material used, in the use of recycled/recyclable materials and so Street. There are many innovative experiences in this sense, even among small businesses. We recall that, through the institution of Conai, Italy has long since adopted a model which has not only ensured effective management of packaging waste and facilitated the achievement of recycling objectives, but which also operates in support of companies according to an objective general prevention, connecting the world of packaging producers and users. This is a positive example that has favored the spread of virtuous behaviour, also thanks to direct involvement and constant dialogue with trade associations.

Given these premises, the negotiations between the European institutions (Parliament and Council) which will have to discuss the Commission’s proposal will be neither simple nor trivial. The Italian Government has already paid attention to this reform and, like the CNA, we believe that a national comparison can be started immediately which can highlight the expectations of businesses, allowing Italy to direct European decisions towards a more in line with the path already adopted.

Pietro Romano, managing editor in charge of the Cna communication office