On 10 December 2025, the European Commission presented the Omnibus Package VIII (Environment). The proposal aims to simplify environmental procedures, to streamline industrial and agricultural emission standards, to abolish a database for hazardous substances in products, and to suspend the mandatory appointment of an authorised representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in waste management.

AK welcomes some of the Commission's proposals, such as ensuring that the relevant authorities have adequate resources. However, the majority of the proposed changes are viewed critically, particularly those relating to environmental procedures. For instance, the proposals include very short approval deadlines and exemptions from the ban on killing protected animal and bird species. The proposed changes to waste law are also considered problematic. They would undermine the system’s functionality. Abolishing the obligation for plant operators to submit transformation plans for their facilities starting in 2030, as set out in the Industrial Emissions Directive, would make it even more difficult to achieve climate targets.