Image: MOEW
The Minister of Environment and Water, Julian Popov, met with representatives of industry organizations to discuss Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). At his invitation, the discussion included participants from various organizations, including the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), the Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association, the Association for Modern Trade, the Bulgarian Association of the Metallurgical Industry, the Association of Soft Drink Producers, and the Union of Brewers.
"We have gathered to listen to you and seek solutions," Minister Popov told the participants at the meeting, which he initiated specifically to familiarize himself with the issues. He assured them that he and his team are prepared to take the necessary steps within a short timeframe to find solutions.
"The situation regarding Extended Producer Responsibility and product fees is extremely unfavorable, not only for producers and importers but also for Bulgarian citizens. It also sends a poor signal to anyone wishing to invest in Bulgaria. Our demand is for fundamental changes – a drastic reduction of the fees set in the regulation to levels comparable with neighboring Romania and Greece, both EU members, so that we can remain competitive," stated Dobri Mitev, Chairman of the BIA, at the start of the talk.
Minister Julian Popov requested that the organizations provide the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) with data, analytical information, and studies on EU practices, as well as on unfair competition, a concern raised by the meeting participants. "Regarding the methodology for determining fees, it is part of the internal discussions we are currently having and will subsequently discuss with you. This methodology must be clear, detailed, and public so that the rules of the game are known," the Minister said, responding to concerns raised by industry organizations regarding the criteria for determining product fees and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. He also announced the intention of his team to provide open data for information across every sector within the MOEW system, the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH), and other related bodies.
Alongside the Deputy Minister of Environment and Water, Kostadin Geshev, Minister Popov confirmed that revisions to the Ordinance on the Procedure and Amount of Product Fee Payments can only be initiated following a thorough analysis of data provided by the business sector and the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
Source: MOEW
