AIM – the European Brands Association – has joined over 60 industry organisations in signing a joint statement expressing serious concern over the current direction of the EU’s proposed waste sorting label guidelines.
The latest draft guidelines by the Joint Research Centre risk fragmenting the Single Market by promoting full-colour, text-based labelling systems that may require translation into up to 24 languages. This approach directly contradicts the harmonisation goals of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and undermines the Commission’s own 2025 Single Market Strategy.
Instead of simplifying recycling for consumers, this proposal could lead to higher costs, consumer confusion and operational inefficiencies across borders. It would impose unnecessary burdens on industry and reopen the door to divergent national rules — precisely what harmonised EU legislation seeks to avoid.
We call on the European Commission to reconsider the current path and support a harmonised, text-free pictogram-based solution that is accessible, scalable and aligned with the Single Market.
Click here to access the full statement.
