CHM - ORTReduce food waste per capita by 30 percent by 2025 and by 50 percent by 2030, including through legally binding targets to reduce the generation of food waste per capita, jointly in retail and other distribution of food, in restaurants and food services and in households, by 30% by 2030.
The Commission is committed to halving per capita food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030 (SDG Target 12.3).
Main legislation in place:
The Revised Waste Framework Directive calls on Member States achieve an indicative Union-wide food waste reduction target of 30% by 2025 and 50 % by 2030. Article 9(g) requires Member States to take measures to reduce the generation of food waste to levels sufficient to meet SDG target 12.3.
The Delegated Decision establishing a common EU methodology to measure food waste aims to contribute to effectively reduce or prevent food waste.
The Implementing Decision on food waste generation reports lays down a format and quality check report for reporting the data on the levels of food waste generated in Member States.
The Regulation amending EU food hygiene rules facilitates food donation.
Legislation proposed:
The Commission proposal for a Revision of the Waste Framework Directive on textiles and food waste, notably Article 9a, obliges Member States to take the necessary measures to reduce food waste by the end of 2030:
- by 10%, in processing and manufacturing,
- by 30% (per capita), jointly at retail and consumption (restaurants, food services and households) in comparison to the amount generated in 2020.
A provisional agreement on the proposal has been reached by the European Parliament and the Council.
Other policy instruments:
The European Consumer Food Waste Forum pilot project aims to find solutions and develop tools to help reduce consumer food waste.
The Commission Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe includes the commitment to half disposal of edible food waste by 2020.
EFSA scientific advice on date marking aims to reduce food waste by tackling misuse and misunderstanding of date marking on food.
EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub.
The Farm to Fork Strategy outlines the EU’s commitment to contribute to SDG Target 12.3 and halve per capita food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030.
The EU food donation guidelines aim to facilitate the recovery and redistribution of safe, edible food to those in need.
The EU guidance on the use of food no longer intended for human consumption in animal feed helps reduce food waste.
Recommendation 2021/2279 on the use of Environmental Footprint methods for relevant policies and initiatives, to measure, manage and communicate environmental performance, burdens and other information relating to the life cycle of products (goods and services) and organisations. This recommendation helps to measure efficiency of food waste reduction measures.
| Objectifs mondiaux | Degré d’alignement |
GBF-T16. GBF-T16.Encourager les populations à faire des choix de consommation durables et à leur donner les moyens de le faire, notamment en créant des cadres politiques, législatifs ou réglementaires propices, en améliorant l'éducation ainsi que l'accès à des informations pertinentes et précises et à des solutions de substitution, et, d'ici à 2030, réduire l'empreinte mondiale de la consommation de manière équitable, notamment en réduisant de moitié le gaspillage alimentaire mondial, en limitant significativement la surconsommation et en diminuant considérablement la production de déchets, de manière à permettre à tous de vivre agréablement en harmonie avec la Terre nourricière. | Élevé |
This EU contribution aligns with GBF Target 16, and more specifically the element on halving global food waste.
For financing and capacity-building, please refer to the EU contributions to Targets 19 and 20.