Pharma environmental regulation could lead to hefty fines

The pharmaceutical industry risks high financial penalties if it doesn’t prioritise its environmental reporting obligations.

The announcement comes from environmental consultancy group, Lorax Compliance, who spoke at Pharmapack Europe earlier this year.

Addressing delegates at the show in February, COO Michelle Carvell said businesses may not be aware of the full extent of environmental Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation and the changes that will be implemented from the EU’s Circular Economy Package.

For instance, recent legislation changes like Germany’s VerpackG require businesses to register a dual reporting system, with non-compliance carrying a hefty €200,000 fine.

“The pharmaceutical industry has many regulatory hoops to jump through, so it’s perhaps understandable that environmental reporting has been as less of a priority,” Michelle says. “Nevertheless, many pharmaceutical companies are highly globalised and export and import into numerous markets. As more EU countries focus on improving their packaging collection, sorting and separating capabilities, this industry, like many others, will need to prepare for these changes and consider how they will impact their operations,” Carvell said.

“The industry should expect further reforms over the next two years in line with the EU’s 2018 Circular Economy package,” she said. “Planning for these changes is not something to leave until the last minute.”