Hannah Blythyn MS, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
I am committed to moving towards a more circular economy which will see us keeping resources in use as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them, minimizing waste and promoting resource efficiency. The EU Circular Economy Package (CEP) introduces a revised legislative framework, identifying steps for the reduction of waste and establishing an ambitious and credible long-term path for waste management and recycling
Together with the other governments of the United Kingdom, I have issued a joint policy statement setting out the key changes made by the EU Circular Economy Package and the approach of the UK to transposition of the 2020 CEP measures.
I have agreed to take the approach of issuing a joint policy statement with the other three UK Governments and not to undertake a formal consultation. The bulk of the 2020 CEP measures are relatively small technical changes and the implementing legislation in many cases simply adopts the same wording as that of the relevant amending Directives introduced by the EU CEP.
The Secretary of State will be making the legislative changes required to transpose the 2020 CEP measures for England and Wales, apart from some amendments including those relating to hazardous waste which I will be making separately. I will be seeking the consent of the Senedd Cymru for the Secretary of State to make the legislative changes on our behalf in relation to those aspects which amend primary legislation. In parallel we will make any amendments to Wales only legislation in free-standing, Wales-only regulations.
Some amendments being made by the Secretary of State will apply to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These will relate to existing legislation which applies on a UK- or GB- wide basis or to those regulations in areas that are reserved matters. Scotland and Northern Ireland will also make their own regulations which will transpose the non-UK wide elements of the CEP into their own domestic legislation.
This approach avoids the need to duplicate amendments, which would have been the case if each administration was to make the same amendments to the existing shared legislation.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.
Link to joint policy statement: https://gov.wales/circular-economy-package-policy-statement