EU Parliament Calls for Temporary Suspension of Wastewater EPR Obligations

European Parliament members voted Thursday to support the removal of micro-pollutants from urban wastewater while calling for protections to ensure medicine affordability. The resolution, passed 294 to 245 with 28 abstentions, emphasizes that pharmaceutical and cosmetic producers should bear the costs of these upgrades under the “polluter pays” principle, provided these obligations do not limit drug access.

Why is the EU targeting micro-pollutants in wastewater?

The introduction of quaternary treatment is necessary to protect public health and safeguard ecosystems, according to the resolution. Members of the European Parliament highlighted the need to combat emerging risks, specifically antimicrobial resistance, by removing micro-pollutants from urban wastewater.

Did You Know? Under the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, producers of cosmetics and medicinal products are required to cover at least 80% of the costs for removing micro-pollutants from urban wastewater.

How will the “polluter pays” principle affect medicine costs?

The resolution states that costs for advanced wastewater treatment should not fall on water consumers or taxpayers. Instead, the text argues that the sectors contributing to water pollution must support these costs in a proportionate and fair manner through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

However, lawmakers insist the directive must remain flexible. They argue that EPR obligations should not compromise the availability, accessibility, or affordability of essential medicines.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the EU is attempting to balance two critical health mandates: the immediate need for affordable medication and the long-term necessity of preventing antimicrobial resistance. The tension lies in whether the pharmaceutical industry can absorb 80% of infrastructure costs without passing those expenses to the patient.

What is the timeline for wastewater treatment upgrades?

The revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive took effect on January 1, 2025. It mandates that EU member states ensure cities and towns correctly collect and treat wastewater.

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Implementation of quaternary treatment will follow a gradual schedule:

December 2033: 20% of the largest plants and 10% of the smallest plants must be upgraded.
2039: Coverage must reach 60% of plants.
2045: Full coverage across all required plants must be completed.

What happens next for the pharmaceutical industry?

European deputies have asked the Commission to produce a new impact assessment by the end of 2026. This study may identify specific substances in urban wastewater, verify quaternary treatment costs, and determine how these costs could impact drug availability and pricing.

A possible next step involves a temporary “stop the time” suspension. Lawmakers are requesting that EPR provisions and related financial obligations be paused until the Commission completes the study and evaluates its findings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is quaternary treatment?
It is the process of removing micro-pollutants from urban wastewater to protect ecosystems and combat risks like antimicrobial resistance.

Who is responsible for the costs of these water upgrades?
According to the “polluter pays” principle, producers of medicinal and cosmetic products are expected to cover at least 80% of the costs.

When will the wastewater treatment upgrades be fully implemented?
The gradual implementation timeline extends to 2045 for complete coverage.

Do you believe pharmaceutical companies should be solely responsible for the cost of removing drug residues from public water systems?