Circular Economy Act: state of play of the EU act on the circular economy

The European Commission is preparing the Circular Economy Act – a legislative proposal based on Art. 114 TFEU intended to create a single market for secondary raw materials and waste and to increase the supply of, and demand for, high-quality recycled materials in the EU. In its 2026 work programme the Commission announced the proposal for Q3 2026; in a news item of 31 August 2026 it stated that the act is due to be adopted before the end of 2026.

• Public consultation and call for evidence: 1 August – 6 November 2025 (“Have your say” portal, initiative 14812).
• EESC exploratory opinion NAT/986 requested by the Commission – adopted on 17 June 2026.
• According to the EPRS, the proposal is to cover amendments to the Waste Framework Directive and the Landfill Directive, an amendment to the WEEE Directive and additional measures.
• Relevant for non-ferrous metals are, among others, end-of-waste criteria, recovery of critical raw materials from waste electrical and electronic equipment and trade in secondary raw materials.

Full overview – legislative path with the current stage, timeline of work, objectives and pillars of the act and official sources: Policy – Circular Economy Act: state of play