Circularity in healthcare: MedTech Europe priorities for the EU Circular Economy Act, modernised e-waste and waste shipment rules
Posted on 03.12.2025
The Circular Economy is key to boosting the EU’s economic security, resilience, competitiveness and decarbonisation. Under the EU Clean Industrial Deal, the EU has set itself the goals of making Europe a world leader in the Circular Economy and of doubling the EU’s circularity rate by 2030. As a new Circular Economy Act is announced for Q3/2026, the European Commission consulted stakeholders on the upcoming Act.
In its consultation response and related recommendations on future e-waste and waste shipment rules, MedTech Europe outlines the priorities of the medical technology industry.
To unlock further circularity potentials in healthcare, MedTech Europe calls for a Circular Economy Act that boosts regulatory coherence, an EU internal market for waste and establishes a framework for financing and rewarding circularity efforts. Besides leveraging synergies with digitalisation and seeking international alignment on circularity approaches for the medical technology sector with respect to the quality and security for patients and healthcare practitioners matters.
As the European Commission simultaneously prepares for the revision of the EU’s e-waste rules, MedTech Europe publishes a set of recommendations on how to modernise today’s framework for the management of medical waste, electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), in support of more circularity in healthcare.
Turning waste into a resource forms an essential part of a Circular Economy.
Finally, modernised waste shipment rules play an essential role in the mission of accelerating the EU’s transition to a circular economy. By 31 October, the European Commission consulted stakeholders on harmonising the classification of certain waste types (so-called “green-listed” waste) to facilitate their shipments across borders. In its consultation response, MedTech Europe recommends upholding the green-list status for non-hazardous intra-EU e-waste shipments beyond 1 January 2027, including the exemption for shipments under 20kg. Besides, we outline general improvement suggestions to support more circularity in healthcare.
Please find further information here:
- EU Prosperity and Competitiveness: MedTech Europe Recommendations for Implementing the EU Green Deal in Healthcare
- MedTech Europe Recommendations regarding Simplification of Administrative Burden in EU Environment Legislation
For further information, please contact Sigrid Linher, Director Sustainability & Environment.