BPF Meets with the UK Mission to the EU

Following the recent announcements in EU legislative frameworks and the inclusion of the “Made in Europe” principle, the BPFs Director-General Philip Law and Industrial and Public Affairs Manager Mohamed Elkhalifa sat down with the UK Mission to the EU in Brussels for a highly productive and informative dialogue. Meeting directly with the environmental policy team and the Head of Competitiveness, the BPF gathered crucial intelligence on the current European regulatory landscape and how the UK plastics industry can best position itself moving forward.

Below is a summary of the key takeaways and our strategy for European engagement in the coming months.

The Regulatory Landscape: "Made in Europe", SUPD, and PPWR
Unsurprisingly, the "Made in Europe" initiative remains at the very top of the EU’s agenda, driving much of the conversation across various government departments.
During our discussions on the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), the Mission indicated that the latest legislation is largely viewed as finalised. While the initial drafting process was somewhat unconventional, the text has moved forward. Crucially, the conversation also touched upon the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Intelligence suggests that to avoid restrictive measures being mirrored in the PPWR, the UK must ensure it is formally approved as an OECD country by November of next year. This time-dependent milestone will be a vital focus for the industry, and we will continue to work with our European counterparts to define the guidelines for ensuring the UK is included.

A Clear Strategy for European Advocacy
Perhaps the most valuable part of the meeting was the strategic advice the Mission provided on how the BPF and its members can most effectively lobby and make our case in Europe.
To maximise our impact, our advocacy efforts will focus on the following core pillars:

• Reframing the Narrative: Rather than focusing on how EU legislation affects the UK, we must clearly articulate how these policies impact the EU itself.
• Leading with Environmental Excellence: We must consistently make a strong environmental case, ensuring we highlight the exceptionally high standards the UK plastics sector adheres to and produces under.
• Visualising Integrated Supply Chains: We need to clearly explain and demonstrate just how deeply interlinked the UK and EU supply chains are. There is a poor knowledge  of supply chains and how they work among the EU's politicians and civil servants.
• Highlighting the Irish Context:  The unique, unresolved trade complexities surrounding Northern Ireland  remain  recognised grey areas in EU policy.
• Collaborating Across Borders: Channelling our lobbying efforts through our European counterparts, including PlasticsEurope, EuPC, and PRE.

It was an incredibly worthwhile visit that has provided us with a clear roadmap for our ongoing European dialogue.