Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation

The Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation (ETL), representing food industry in Finland, welcomes the opportunity to respond to the European Commissions consultation on the upcoming Circular Economy Act. We welcome the Circular Economy Act (CEA) initiative as a crucial step strengthening Europes resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable transition.

Input for public hearing on EU public procurement rules revision Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation (ETL) draws attention to the fact that the situation of the food sector, which has experienced an exceptional cost crisis in recent years, should also be considered in the revision of the EU public procurement rules.

Input for Biotech Act II hearing Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation values highly the current EU policy targets on promoting innova-tions, boosting productivity and creating right conditions for European business to thrive. Biotechnology offers essential tools in building the resilience, circularity and competitiveness of the sector that is critical part of comprehensive security.

To grow and create added value, food companies need predictable and encouraging conditions for innovation. Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation stresses the (1) importance of developing an innovative regulatory environment and making smoother authorization processes of new products, and (2) the need for RDI funding to encourage innovation in food industry. 1.

Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the European Commission on the draft implementing regulation setting out harmonized rules to calculate, verify, and report the share of recycled plastic in single-use plastic (SUP) beverage bottles. We support the Commissions draft, particularly the recognition of chemical recycling as a valid recycling method.

The Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation (ETL) appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions initiative on water sector digitalisation. We support efforts to advance digital and green transitions in the water sector, which is a critical enabler of sustainable growth, competitiveness and security of supply in the food industry. Water is a key production resource for the food sector.

Messages from Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation: Climate goals, food security, and the competitiveness of companies must be aligned. EU's climate policy should promote competitiveness and food security of European food production while achieving international climate goals. Policies aimed at reducing emissions must be long-term and predictable.

Messages from Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation: Climate goals, food security, and the competitiveness of companies must be aligned. EU's climate policy should promote competitiveness and food security of European food production while achieving international climate goals. Policies aimed at reducing emissions must be long-term and predictable.

Input to Commission hearing on CMO proposal (COM (2024) 577 final) 10/03/2025 Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation (ETL) considers the proper functioning of the food supply chain an essential requirement for food security, as well as competitiveness and resilience of the agri-food sector. However, the CMO regulation proposal raises the following serious concerns in the food processing companies in Finland.

Ensuring Responsible Trading and a Level Playing Field Finland possesses the most concentrated retail trade in Europe. This creates a structural dependency where the food industryregardless of company sizeis tied to a few dominant retailers. To ensure a resilient food chain, contractual relationships must be built on symmet-ric information sharing, fair risk distribution, and effective competition.