In a resolution adopted on 18 June 2026, the European Parliament voted by a majority to temporarily suspend extended producer responsibility and the requirements for the fourth purification stage in the new UWWTD. The resolution was adopted by a very narrow margin with 294 votes in favour, 245 votes against and 28 abstentions.

The resolution stresses that the introduction of the fourth purification stage is necessary to protect health and ecosystems. Extended producer responsibility is also supported in principle, but MEPs are lacking sufficient flexibility in the directive. The result is a call on the EU Commission to prepare a new impact assessment by the end of 2026, which will include, among other things, the costs of the fourth purification stage, an allocation of responsibility to the respective sectors, and potential impacts on the availability, affordability, and accessibility of medicines.

Until the study is completed, MPs are calling for a temporary suspension of EPR provisions, along with fourth-tier cleaning requirements and their associated financial commitments.

The motion for a resolution is based on a resolution by the EPP which was already discussed in the European Parliament on 25 March 2026.

What happens next? As the resolution is not legally binding, the EU Commission will decide how to proceed with the motion for a resolution, including amendments, that has been adopted today. It is expected that they will have to revisit the impact assessment and include further market participants in the EPR. From a water management perspective, this is not particularly good news.

Background:
The upgrading of sewage treatment works to include a fourth treatment stage for the removal of pharmaceutical residues and other substances is to be implemented according to size categories and with phased deadlines. In this context, 80% of the investment and operating costs are to be borne by the marketing authorisation holders, i.e. the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

The water associations in NRW are already well positioned in many areas with regard to the upcoming requirements of KARL. Our aspiration to lead the way in innovation can already be seen in the numerous R&D projects and pilot studies, including on 4th purification stages. We already see preventive water protection, advanced purification technology, climate protection and climate adaptation as fixed components of our water management activities.