Law 25/2022, of June 30, on the Circular Economy (LEC)

This law establishes the legal framework to transition Andorra from a linear economic model to a circular economy. Its primary goal is to optimize the use of natural resources, minimize environmental impacts, promote responsible consumption, and drastically improve waste management by following the waste hierarchy (prevention, reuse, recycling, etc.).
The key drivers of the Law are: Addressing environmental damage caused by resource extraction and pollution; Aligning with international and European Union standards and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; Responding to public demand for sustainable practices, as evidenced by public consultations.
The Law's core pillars and measures concern: 1. the Sustainable Consumption which regards: a. the Single-Use Plastics. It is foreseen a ban for the production and import of certain single-use plastic products (like oxo-degradable plastics) and reduction targets are set for others. b. the Food Waste, for which a legal hierarchy for food waste management is established, prioritizing prevention, donation, and animal feed over disposal and mandates actions for food producers, distributors, and the hospitality sector. c. the Consumer Information, which creates a "Circular Economy Distinction" label for businesses and mandates information on product reparability to combat premature obsolescence. 2. The Sector-Specific Transition, which covers: a. the Construction sector, for which it promotes the use of recycled materials, requires waste diagnosis plans for projects, and sets recycling targets for construction and demolition waste. b. the Tourism & Hospitality, where it obliges restaurants to offer tap water for free, prohibits single-use monodose products (like condiments), and requires them to provide doggy bags for leftovers. c. the Retail, where it promotes bulk sales, bans plastic packaging for most fresh fruits and vegetables, and requires stores to have recycling containers for customers. 3. the Improved Waste Management: a. The Law introduces the concepts of "End-of-Waste" and "By-Products", allowing certain wastes to re-enter the economy as raw materials. b. Establishes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, making producers financially responsible for the waste phase of their products. c. Empowers the government to implement Deposit-Return Systems for beverage containers. 4. Bans the destruction of unsold non-food inventory (e.g., clothing, electronics) that is still usable. 4. The Exemplary Role of the Public Administration: a. Mandates that public procurement prioritize sustainable, local, reused, and recycled products. b. Requires public buildings and schools to have systems for distributing non-bottled water and bans the free distribution of plastic bottles. 5. Governance and Enforcement: a. It requires the creation of a national Circular Economy Strategy to serve as a roadmap. b. It sets specific, time-bound targets for 2030 and 2035 (e.g., recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035, reducing food waste by 50%). c. It includes a comprehensive penalty regime with fines for non-compliance, categorized as minor, serious, and very serious offenses.
In Summary, this comprehensive law positions Andorra to modernize its economy by making it more sustainable, resilient, and competitive. It focuses on systemic change across all sectors, driven by regulation, innovation, and the active participation of the government, businesses, and citizens.