Manufacturers bear responsibility
Pharmaceutical companies should ensure clean water in Europe
October 16, 2023, 10:24 p.m
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The EU believes that pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies are jointly responsible for the quality of the water. Therefore, they should be involved in the purification of wastewater. But the EU states are also taking a look at the sewage treatment plants themselves. But it’s not about water.
According to the wishes of the EU countries, pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies should contribute to the costs of wastewater treatment. At a meeting in Luxembourg, state environment ministers agreed that so-called extended producer responsibility should apply to any product placed on the market in any country. In addition, according to the will of the federal states, municipal wastewater treatment plants should have to generate the energy they consume by 2045. as stated in a statement. The energy can be generated on site or off site. Up to 30 percent can be obtained from external sources.
Furthermore, under the new rules, member states would be obliged to monitor health parameters in urban wastewater. The aim is to identify pathogens that can be responsible for pandemics – such as the corona or influenza virus.
The countries must now consult with the EU Parliament and find a compromise. Parliament had also spoken out in favor of allowing pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies to contribute to the costs of wastewater treatment. The basis for the new regulations is a legislative proposal from the EU Commission.
Polluter pays principle finally implemented
The Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries welcomed the states’ position. “It is particularly pleasing that the EU member states have pledged their full support for the full introduction of producer responsibility to cover the costs of the fourth treatment stage,” said the General Manager for Water and Wastewater, Martin Weyand. This means that the polluter pays principle can be implemented appropriately.
The plans were also well received by the association of municipal companies. Vice President Karsten Specht said that energy efficiency and climate protection are a very important topic for the municipal wastewater management. For many companies, it is not possible to generate their own energy in a completely energy-neutral manner due to the limited space and facilities. It is therefore right to be able to set up renewable energy systems off-site or to be able to buy renewable energy.