EU Circular Economy Act (CEA)
The legislative proposal is expected in the third quarter of 2026
What the Circular Economy Act is
The Circular Economy Act is a legislative package whose proposal is expected in the third quarter of 2026. The public consultation closed in November 2025. It complements the ESPR rather than duplicating it.
The division is clean: the ESPR creates the data, through Digital Product Passports. The CEA creates the market conditions under which that data becomes economically useful. The Commission frames it as industrial competitiveness policy under the Clean Industrial Deal, not only as environmental regulation.
The measures that change the economics of secondary materials
What the package contains
The numbers behind it
The investment gap
EUR 82 billion a year: construction EUR 18B, textiles EUR 5B, vehicles and batteries EUR 10B, electronics EUR 5B.
Where the EU stands
The EU circularity rate was 12.2% in 2024 against a target of 24% by 2030 — a doubling in six years.
Three legislative pillars
Amendments to the Waste Framework Directive and the Landfill Directive; reform of the WEEE Directive; and horizontal measures — end-of-waste harmonisation, EPR governance and fiscal instruments.
The Circular Economy Act and the Digital Product Passport
Frequently asked questions
The proposal is expected in the third quarter of 2026. The ordinary legislative procedure with Parliament and Council follows, so the distance between proposal and applicable rules is years, not months.
Because the CEA turns your data into money. Eco-modulated fees, green procurement and customs verification of recycled content all require proof. A company with verified data pays less and reaches more market.
Complementary. The Commission document states the measures will boost transparency "supported by Digital Product Passports". The ESPR produces the data; the CEA builds the market that rewards it.
Related solutions
Solutions
DPP for Manufacturers
Manufacturers create and maintain DPP, prove compliance and sustainability, earn trust and improve their processes.
DPP for Importers
Importers ensure a valid DPP for every product and provide EU market access without risk of sanctions and delays.
DPP for Retailers and Service Centres
DPP simplifies warranties, repairs and product tracking. Retailers and service centres receive accurate information for higher quality service.
