EU SWITCH-Asia Webinar - Closing the Loop: How the EU’s Evolving EPR Policies Create New Opportunities for Asia-Pacific Businesses

We are delighted that we were part of EU Switch-Asia and the European Environmental Bureau’s webinar “Closing the Loop: How the EU’s Evolving EPR Policies Create New Opportunities for Asia-Pacific Businesses” on June 9, 2026. Gathering circular economy experts including our Managing Director Stefanie Beitien, this discussion focused on changes in the EU’s EPR trajectory and ways Asian stakeholders can align with or even benefit from new regulations. 

The EU’s shift towards a circular economy has been expanding the EPR legislation’s scope–moving from environmental policy to the center of industrial and trade policies. The effects go beyond the region, affecting Asian states and businesses. The new regulations require drastic changes to product design, supply chain tracking, and financial compliance. 

The speakers emphasized that this can also help Asian economies shift from linear production systems to sustainable supply chains and resource efficiency. As shared by Stefanie, integrating circular principles creates opportunities for companies–it can drive savings, innovation, and can strengthen economic resilience. Furthermore, it can provide insights to shape Asia’s own EPR frameworks and broader sustainability journey. 

It also became clear that all EPR schemes have their own challenges, and that any policy needs to be adapted to local realities. The inclusion of the informal sector is of utmost importance in the Global South which heavily relies on the important service of informal waste workers. There is a massive lack of infrastructure and a huge amount of legacy waste. Those particular challenges require different solutions and more South-South collaboration. 

“EPR is one of the most important policy tools right now and it should include reduction goals or incentives to drive a circular economy.”  - Stefanie Beitien

Watch the recording here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atPJdNQZBOY

We look forward to how circularity can transform international markets and make value chains more sustainable.