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In June’s newsletter, I emphasized that “This autumn, Glass for Europe is gearing up for extensive outreach efforts towards European Commission officials and new Members of the European Parliament.” No empty promises: here we are!
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With the newly elected European Parliament now in session, the European Commission taking shape, and new policy directions being outlined for the upcoming mandate, it’s the perfect time for intensive outreach.
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Moreover, with Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness making headlines, the moment is ripe for us to step up our advocacy efforts. Glass for Europe has been preparing for this busy autumn, working hard over the past months to be ready for the task at hand. As you will read in this newsletter, we are utilizing every available channel to inform decision-makers about our industry, its realities, and the policy priorities we set out in our 2024-2029 manifesto released earlier this year.
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Our Chairman, Davide Cappellino, President of AGC Glass Europe and Americas, has been actively involved in these efforts, providing a video statement on the Draghi report and sharing an opinion piece on Euractiv. Meanwhile, our secretariat team has been engaging with Members of the European Parliament during their first plenary session in Strasbourg. We’ve also intensified our outreach to the media to secure broader advocacy for our positions. Under our leadership, the Glass Alliance Europe has launched a comprehensive outreach campaign to reach newly elected officials, coming in complement to Glass for Europe’s own efforts.
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As we’ve seen in the past, a change in the political mandate doesn’t slow down technical work—it often speeds it up. European Commission officials have been hard at work on key projects, such as the implementation of the Net-Zero Industry Act and the upcoming expansion of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. In recent weeks, we’ve had productive meetings on these files.
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These are undoubtedly busy times at Glass for Europe, but we are encouraged by the progress we’re making. This summer, for instance, saw the successful introduction of a ban on flat glass imports from Belarus into the EU.
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Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. Let’s maintain this pace and continue working efficiently to achieve even greater results!
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Bertrand Cazes
Secretary General, Glass for Europe
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Op-ed by Glass for Europe Chairman: “Time for the flat glass industry’s decarbonization efforts to pay off”
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On 16 September, Glass for Europe chairman Davide Cappellino published an opinion piece in Euractiv entitled “Time for the flat glass industry’s decarbonisation efforts to pay off”. The op-ed sheds light on the current reality facing the flat glass industry and the solutions which can be implemented to accelerate the decarbonisation and ensure competitiveness.
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In its recently released report on the Future of European Competitiveness, Mario Draghi concludes that...
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Glass for Europe in Strasbourg for the plenary session of the European Parliament
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In the week of 16 September, Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe and Adrien Carton, Sustainable Construction and Industrial Policy Manager travelled to Strasbourg to meet with representatives of the European Parliament. A great opportunity to meet with new MEPs and reconnect with re-elected ones.
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The second plenary session of the 2024-2029 mandate was particularly relevant for Glass for Europe to attend as all...
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Glass for Europe reacts to Mario Draghi's report on European competitiveness
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The recent publication of Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness highlights key issues and recommendations for European industry. The EU faces competitiveness issues and slow growth compared to China and the United States, resulting in a damaging economic situation. Urgent actions and investments are needed for the EU to reach its objectives.
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A key issue highlighted for our sector is the persistent high energy costs within the European Union. This impacts all...
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The Carbon Boarder Adjustment Mechanism: state of play
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The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) adopted in 2023 is a policy tool developed by the European Union to try to address carbon leakage by way of imposing a carbon price on imported goods from countries outside the EU. The mechanism foresees that the price paid on imported goods would be equivalent to what would have been paid if the products were produced under the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). However, once an industry enters the CBAM mechanisms, its European operations lose their free CO2 allocation under the EU ETS, at a faster pace than if they stay outside the system thus generating extra costs for EU producers. The CBAM currently covers only a few sectors such as steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizers, and electricity.
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While the CBAM is still under a pilot phase and no imported product has yet been subject to carbon pricing, the entire system and its architecture is already very much criticised. The first phases of implementation proved extremely complex...
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New College of Commissioners unveiled by the Commission President
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On 17 September, the President of the European Commission sent the Commissioners-designate their mission letters for the next five years. These letters build on the Political guidelines put forward by Ms von der Leyen for the new mandate until 2029. They therefore provide insights into forthcoming initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal, the Circular Economy Act and the Affordable Housing Plan.
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If confirmed by the European Parliament, the new College of Commissioners would be composed of six Executive Vice-Presidents whose portfolios reflect the priorities of the future College. Two of them would be particularly relevant to Glass for Europe activities...
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Glass for Europe contributes to the consultation on the secondary legislation of the Net-Zero Industry Act
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Last June, the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The aim of the Regulation is to provide a framework to ensure the Union’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies, including by increasing the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and their supply chains. The scope of the supply chains will be defined in secondary legislation, which will define the main components used in the production of such technologies. Glass for Europe has made proposals to include some key flat glass products.
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The NZIA aims to achieve a manufacturing capacity of at least...
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Ban on imports of flat glass from Belarus to tackle circumvention of Russian sanctions
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Glass for Europe welcomes the decision from the European Council to include flat glass products as part of the extension of the scope of sanctions on Belarus to fight circumvention. In a Regulation adopted on 29 June, the European Council has decided take further actions to prevent the circumventions of sanctions placed on Russia.
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The import of float glass originating from Russia has been banned since the first round of economic sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, since then...
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The UK Government extends CE recognition for construction products beyond June 2025
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In a recent statement, the UK Minister for Building Safety and Homelessness, Rushanara Ali, confirmed that the recognition of CE marking for construction products will be extended beyond the previously set deadline of 30th June 2025. The UKCA mark will, nonetheless, remain a valid and accepted regulatory mark.
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This decision to extend recognition notably stems from the findings of the Independent Review of the Construction Products Testing Regime, which highlighted a lack of...
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New video on automotive safety glazing functions and environmental performances
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The new video introduces the important role of glazing in sustainable mobility. A timely contribution given that pieces of legislation are currently under discussion on the subject.
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Glass for Europe is pleased to announce the release of a new video highlighting the essential role of glazing in vehicles. The video outlines the key characteristics of automotive safety glazing, as the transparent material ensures visibility and comfort for vehicle users. It also hints at the crucial role of glazing in vehicles’ sustainability.
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On the one hand, advanced glazing products can help reduce energy consumption by controlling the cabin temperature more effectively, reducing the need for mobile air conditioning. This results in lower CO2 emissions for combustion engine vehicles and...
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Glass for Europe participates in the VITRUM 25 opening conference
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Autumn is traditionally the period for international trade fairs and exhibitions in the European glass sector. On 17 September 2024, Glass for Europe was represented at the Opening Conference of VITRUM 25 in Milan. Our Environment and Climate Manager, Iva Ganev spoke during the event entitled “Building as Green as Glass”, on the panel addressing the impact of environmental sustainability on the glass industry.
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Iva emphasised the role of flat glass as a carbon avoidance product in the built environment and therefore its contribution to the EU sustainability objectives. She gave insights into...
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Glass for Europe meets the Swiss glazing industry in Zürich
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On 29 August, Bertrand Cazes took part to the ‘Glass Termin / Journée d’échanges du verre’ organised by SIGAB, the technical department of SFV/ASVP, the Swiss glazing association. Bertrand Cazes contributed to the program with an introductory speech on ‘European sustainability legislations and its challenges and opportunities for the glass industry’.
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The event was held in the stunning Quai Zurich Insurance Campus. With the blend of an old, classified architecture and the ultra-modern, audaciously glazed addition that meets the highest sustainability standards, the place offered the ideal backdrop for discussing the sustainability trends in building glass. This event also offered...
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Glass for Europe in Venice to present on circular economy in the European building glass sector
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Our Environment and Climate Policy Manager, Iva Ganev, attended the seminar on Performance-Based Façade Design which took place on 5-6 September 2024 in Venice. She presented the participants with a speech with Considerations on Circular Economy for the European Building Glass Sector.
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During her speech, she explained the opportunities of circularity and recycling for architectural flat glass, as well as the positive results of the proactive initiatives by Glass for Europe’s member companies. She also illustrated the hurdles faced by the sector in its ambition to...
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