European water regulators meeting under the umbrella of WAREG, the Association of European Water Regulators, reached an agreement on a common position on the implementation of EPR Schemes and approved the integration of waste-related competences in WAREG, reflecting the evolving role of regulators and the growing relevance of integrated approaches across essential environmental services.
WAREG, the Association of European Water Regulators, held its 38th General Assembly on 17 and 18 June 2026, bringing together European water regulators to discuss water resilience, Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and the integration of waste-related competences within WAREG.
Hosted by MEKH, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority, the 38th General Assembly provided Members and Observers with an opportunity to exchange views on the evolving role of economic regulation in supporting sustainable, efficient and affordable water services across Europe.
A central discussion concerned the WAREG study on Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and their relevance for the wastewater sector. The study examined the potential implications of EPR mechanisms for wastewater management, cost recovery, investment needs and affordability. Members also discussed WAREG’s common position on EPR, with a view to contributing to the European debate on the implementation of the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the role of producers in addressing pollution.
The Assembly also addressed recent EU policy developments and the work carried out by WAREG Working Groups, including on water scarcity and droughts, the Drinking Water Directive and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. These exchanges confirmed the importance of technical cooperation among regulators in supporting the implementation of EU legislation and in identifying regulatory tools to respond to climate pressures, infrastructure needs and service-quality challenges.
Members further approved integration of waste-related competences within WAREG’s institutional framework. This decision reflected the evolving responsibilities of several regulatory authorities in Europe and the growing relevance of integrated regulatory approaches across water, wastewater and waste as essential services for consumers and environmental sustainability.
The 38th General Assembly also included an exchange with ERRA on its ongoing activities, as well as an update from the WAREG Secretariat on the Association’s work programme, institutional priorities and operational developments.
A further strategic item concerned the Memorandum of Understanding between WAREG and the International Network of Basin Organizations. The cooperation framework is expected to strengthen dialogue between economic regulators and basin organisations on issues of common interest, including water resilience, governance, sustainable investment, affordability and the implementation of European water policy.
WAREG President Vera Eiró: “WAREG’s 38th General Assembly confirmed the Association’s role as a platform for regulatory cooperation, technical exchange and institutional dialogue. Through its common position on Extended Producer Responsibility, WAREG wants to contribute to the debate on the implementation of the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Economic regulators play a key role in building up trust in the system and scrutinising investments, approving eligible costs, ensuring consumer protection and integrating EPR into tariff frameworks. By working together, we can contribute for an EPR system that is simple and transparent to the European public.. At the same time, WAREG took an important step in reflecting the evolving responsibilities of regulators through the integration of waste-related competences, strengthening its capacity to support coherent, efficient and resilient regulation across essential environmental services.”
About WAREG
WAREG is the Association of European Water Regulators in the drinking water and wastewater sector. Its mission is to facilitate cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity-building among its Members promoting the role of economic regulation in ensuring sustainable, efficient and affordable water services.
Media contact
WAREG Secretariat