Circular Economy

UK Updates Tumble Dryer Energy-Label Enforcement Easement To Include Repairability Options

In April 2026 the UK updated its ecodesign guidance to expand a temporary enforcement easement, allowing GB suppliers of household tumble dryers to use EU-style rescaled energy labels and product information sheets, including versions with detailed repairability information, without routine enforcement action. Strategically, manufacturers placing tumble dryers on the GB market can now align labels and repairability disclosures across EU/GB during the transition, but should plan for the easement’s expiry 10 months after the forthcoming GB tumble-dryer energy-labelling statutory instrument is made and budget for a second label change.

10 Apr 2026, 16:08gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Hawaii Senate Schedules Floor Vote on Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Resolution SCR83/SR73

On 8 April 2026, the Hawaii Senate scheduled floor consideration of concurrent resolution SCR83/SR73, which requests the City and County of Honolulu to consider developing a dedicated facility to discard lithium‑ion and electric‑vehicle batteries. While non-binding, this step reinforces political pressure for safe end‑of‑life infrastructure for lithium‑ion batteries in Honolulu and could foreshadow future regulatory or permitting requirements around battery waste and related facilities.

10 Apr 2026, 15:52capitol.hawaii.govUnited States

Oregon Governor Signs HB 4144 Establishing Battery Producer Responsibility Program for Batteries

Oregon has enacted HB 4144, creating a mandatory statewide producer-responsibility regime for portable and medium-format batteries and battery-containing products following the Governor’s signature in April 2026. Over the next three years, battery producers must organise into DEQ-approved programmes, fund dense collection and recycling infrastructure, and comply with performance targets and civil-penalty-backed obligations that materially raise EPR expectations for battery supply chains in Oregon.

10 Apr 2026, 15:41olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

Germany: Government Submits Draft Law Modernising Ecodesign and Energy Consumption Labelling

Germany’s Federal Government has submitted to the Bundestag a draft framework law to modernise national implementation of EU ecodesign and energy-consumption labelling rules, replacing the current product law and updating the Energy Consumption Labelling Act, with main application foreseen from August 2026.[^1^](https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/21/051/2105141.pdf) If adopted broadly as proposed, manufacturers, importers and distributors of energy-related products in Germany will face tighter market surveillance, expanded resource-efficiency and repair obligations, and higher sanction and reputational risk for non-compliant or incorrectly labelled products, requiring early compliance planning across portfolios.[^1^](https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/21/051/2105141.pdf)

10 Apr 2026, 15:31dserver.bundestag.deGermany

Brazil Senate CAE Postpones Vote on National Deplastification Policy Bill

Brazil’s Senate Committee on Economic Affairs has postponed its vote on PL 258/2024 (National Deplastification Policy) and instead approved a public hearing to debate the bill, which would phase out single‑use plastics nationwide over a two‑year transition period if adopted.[^1^](https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2026/04/07/cae-adia-votacao-e-aprova-debate-sobre-politica-do-fim-do-plastico-de-uso-unico#:~:text=O%20PL%20258/2024%2C%20do%20senador,debate%2C%20cuja%20data%20ainda%20ser%C3%A1%20marcada.)[^2^](https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/audios/2026/04/cae-adia-votacao-do-fim-de-plasticos-descartaveis-e-aprova-debate#:~:text=um%20substitutivo%20que%20define%20prazo%20de%20dois%20anos%20para%20a%20substitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20dos%20pl%C3%A1sticos%20de%20uso%20%C3%BAnico%20no%20pa%C3%ADs.) The move signals growing political momentum for a federal single‑use plastics phase‑out, but also highlights that key design choices and timelines remain open to influence during the upcoming hearing, making this a critical moment for affected industries to prepare positions and assess potential transition scenarios.

10 Apr 2026, 15:27www12.senado.leg.brBrazil

Minnesota HF 4819 Would Fund Critical Materials Waste-Stream Study

Minnesota’s HF 4819 would fund a 2027 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency study of United States Department of Energy–defined “critical materials” in the state’s waste stream, with a report due by 1 October 2028. The bill is an early signal that Minnesota may tighten policy on recovering critical materials from products and waste, which could later translate into new recycling, reporting, or stewardship expectations for manufacturers and waste handlers.

10 Apr 2026, 15:12revisor.mn.govUnited States

Netherlands Launches MKI Committees to Set Maximum Values for Asphalt and Concrete

The Netherlands has created two independent MKI committees, led by CROW for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, to define maximum environmental cost (MKI) values for asphalt and concrete that will underpin mandatory sustainability requirements in GWW public works procurement from 2027. This signals a move from voluntary MKI use to hard procurement thresholds, so infrastructure clients and material suppliers should prepare for tighter environmental performance criteria in Dutch tenders and contracts.

10 Apr 2026, 13:34pianoo.nlNetherlands

UK EPR Packaging Guidance Updated on Recycling Obligations and 2025–2027 Targets

In April 2026, the UK government updated its extended producer responsibility (EPR) packaging guidance to clarify the combined recycling obligation for paper, board and fibre-based composite material and to restate 2025–2027 material-specific recycling targets. Large producers and compliance schemes should ensure PRN/PERN purchasing and reporting reflect the combined paper/fibre category, the stated 2025–2027 recycling percentages, and the 31 January deadline for meeting each year’s obligations.

10 Apr 2026, 13:05gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Commission Confirms Upcoming Public Procurement Act Proposal for Q2 2026

The European Commission has confirmed it is preparing a new EU Public Procurement Act proposal for Q2 2026 to modernise transparency, data use and performance monitoring in public purchasing.[^1^](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2026-000637-ASW_EN.pdf) If delivered as signalled, this reform could hardwire secure data exchange, outcome‑based procurement and mandatory green public procurement (GPP) into EU spending rules, reshaping how companies compete for public contracts.

10 Apr 2026, 12:56europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Taiwan MoENV “Circular City” Exhibition Highlights Planned Resource Circulation Promotion Act Amendments

In April 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment launched the “Circular City” installation and related exhibitions to promote reuse of construction and industrial materials and to highlight planned amendments to the Resource Circulation Promotion Act. The initiative signals that future public works procurement in Taiwan may be required to use a defined share of recycled building materials, creating demand for circular construction supply chains and expanding markets for high-quality recycled aggregates.

10 Apr 2026, 11:13enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

Massachusetts House Discharges Study Order H.5323 on Utilities, Electric Vehicles and Bottle Bill Expansion to House Rules Committee

Massachusetts has adopted **Study Order H.5323**, directing its Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee to investigate a large package of bills on utilities, electric vehicles and potential bottle bill expansion following 06 April 2026 committee action. For companies in utilities, transport and beverage packaging, this signals sustained legislative interest but also that any concrete changes to bottle deposits or utility/EV regulation remain at an early, non-binding study stage.

10 Apr 2026, 10:56malegislature.govUnited States

Environmental Standards Scotland Adopts 2026–2031 Strategy for Environmental Law Oversight

Environmental Standards Scotland has adopted a five‑year Strategy 2026–2031, clarifying how it will use its statutory powers to oversee the implementation and effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland. The plan signals that climate change, biodiversity, circular‑economy/resource efficiency and water quality will be the main lenses for ESS scrutiny and enforcement, increasing attention on public bodies and regulated operators whose activities drive impacts in these areas.

10 Apr 2026, 10:16environmentalstandards.scotUnited Kingdom

Dutch Government Reports to Parliament on EU Environment Council Debates on CO2 Car Norms, ETS and Bioeconomy

EU ministers debated lowering the 2035 vehicle CO2 reduction target to 90% and establishing long-term certainty for the EU ETS and bioeconomy frameworks. This signals a potential shift toward technology-neutral transport decarbonization and upcoming bio-based content mandates for the chemicals and packaging sectors.

9 Apr 2026, 17:42zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

Netherlands ILT Reports Poor Compliance With Single-Use Plastic Cup Ban at Events

Dutch authorities reported widespread non-compliance with the 2024 single-use plastic ban at events, with most organizers failing to meet high-quality recycling targets required for exemptions. Businesses must shift from outreach-based compliance to strict operational adherence as the ILT signals a transition toward active enforcement and rising collection targets.

9 Apr 2026, 14:48ilent.nlNetherlands

England Opens 2025–2026 Carrier Bag Charge Reporting Period for Large Retailers

Defra has opened the 2025–2026 reporting cycle for carrier bag charges in England, requiring large retailers to track and report single-use bag sales. Businesses must maintain robust data collection for the current period to meet the May 2026 submission deadline and mitigate the risk of significant non-compliance penalties.

9 Apr 2026, 14:45gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Minnesota SF 4935 Would Fund Study of Critical Materials in the Waste Stream

Minnesota introduced legislation to fund a comprehensive study of critical materials throughout the state's economy and waste stream, with findings due by October 2028. While the bill creates no immediate compliance mandates, the study's results will likely underpin future state-level circularity requirements and recycling targets for products containing critical minerals.

9 Apr 2026, 14:24revisor.mn.govUnited States

Japan MOE Revises Guidelines on Recycling and Reuse of Used Paper Diapers

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has updated its national guidelines for recycling used paper diapers to accelerate the transition from incineration to resource recovery. While non-binding, the update provides the technical and economic framework for municipalities to scale recycling infrastructure, signaling long-term market growth for absorbent hygiene product (AHP) recovery technologies and recycled materials.

9 Apr 2026, 14:16env.go.jpJapan

EU JRC Launches Consultation on EU Ecolabel Indoor Cleaning Services Criteria Revision

The European Commission has initiated the revision of EU Ecolabel criteria for indoor cleaning services, with stakeholder consultations running through May 2026 and finalization targeted for Q2 2027. Businesses should evaluate the draft technical reports to anticipate shifts in chemical restrictions and service standards that will dictate future eligibility for green public procurement and sustainable service contracts.

9 Apr 2026, 10:33susproc.jrc.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

India Notifies Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026

India has implemented the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, mandating minimum recycled-content targets for packaging and new labeling standards effective immediately. Businesses must now operationalize recycled-content tracking and certificate trading while ensuring packaging remains compliant with food-contact safety and labeling requirements.

9 Apr 2026, 07:35egazette.gov.inIndia

EU JRC Schedules First Meeting and Consultation for Indoor Cleaning Services EU Ecolabel Criteria Revision

The EU JRC has initiated the revision of EU Ecolabel criteria for indoor cleaning services, scheduling the first technical meeting and stakeholder consultation for April and May 2026. Companies should review the draft technical reports to anticipate stricter chemical restrictions and environmental performance standards that will define market leadership in the cleaning sector through 2027.

6 Apr 2026, 19:59susproc.jrc.ec.europa.euEuropean Union