Environmental Access Rights: Stronger Judicial Protection for Transparency
Two recent judgments by the Regional Administrative Courts of Piedmont and Marche confirm a growing judicial trend in favour of full public access to environmental data. Confidentiality and trade secrets cannot override the citizen’s right to know the impact of industrial activities on the environment.
New Batteries Decree: EU Transposition and Comprehensive National Reform
The Government has approved the draft legislative decree transposing Directive (EU) 2023/1542 and overhauling the national framework governing the entire life cycle of batteries. The reform introduces new rules on responsibility, traceability, EPR schemes, CAM requirements and establishes the national Battery Producers Register.
EU Directive 2025/1892: New Obligations on Food and Textile Waste
On 26 September 2025, Directive (EU) 2025/1892 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The new Directive amends Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, introducing binding targets for food waste reduction and new extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for textile products.
“Terra dei Fuochi” Decree: Stricter Sanctions for Waste Abandonment
Law Decree No. 116/2025, published in the Official Gazette on 8 August and in force since 9 August, introduces amendments to Part IV of Legislative Decree No. 152/2006. The text strengthens sanctions against waste abandonment, especially in cases of systematic and organised conduct, and enhances the role of public authorities in enforcement.
TAR Lazio Partially Annuls the “Suitable Areas Decree” for Renewable Energy
With judgment No. 9390 of 13 May 2025, the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio annulled paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 7 of the Ministerial Decree of 21 June 2024 (“Suitable Areas Decree”), finding the restrictions imposed on the siting of renewable energy plants to be disproportionate and inadequately justified.
National Register of Producers (RENAP) Activated
On 7 May 2025, the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) launched the National Register of Producers (RENAP). The platform centralises EPR-related obligations, replacing previous product-specific registers and digitising data transmission and controls.
Revisions to WEEE Management: New Provisions on “One-to-One” and “One-to-Zero”
Article 14-bis of Legislative Decree 131/2024 has replaced Article 11 of Legislative Decree 49/2014, which governs the collection and management systems for WEEE according to the ‘One-for-One’ and ‘One-for-Zero’ schemes.
New EPR Requirements for E-commerce
Article 178-quarter of the Environmental Code establishes new methods for fulfilling extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations in the context of e-commerce.
