The European Commission has started a public consultation to evaluate the position of bio-based plastics in EU packaging policy.

Responses can be submitted until 13 January.

Covering the full packaging value chain, the consultation feeds into the Article 8 review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Strategic Framework on a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy.

Article 8 requires the EC to examine technological progress and the environmental performance of bio-based plastic packaging.

The review will consider whether additional EU action is needed.

The PPWR provides what the EC calls a “harmonised EU framework” for packaging and packaging waste. The regulations have been drawn up to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability, and increase circular resource use.

The EC is considering whether demand-side measures or targets could increase the use of bio-based feedstock in plastic packaging.

It will also assess whether any such approach should include sustainability requirements for bio-based feedstock.

The EC will seek evidence on the supply and performance of bio-based feedstocks.

It is also requesting information on environmental impacts, the sustainability of feedstock sourcing and production, and the possible consequences of different regulatory models.

Eligible contributors include citizens, consumer bodies, environmental NGOs, public authorities, packaging manufacturers and converters, raw-material suppliers, bio-based plastics producers, recyclers, food-contact packaging businesses, brand owners, retailers, and research organisations.

The EC may use the submissions to prepare legislation establishing a framework for bio-based feedstock in plastic packaging.

Packaging is among the sectors identified by the EC for bioeconomy lead-market development.