Our family-run business, a staple in our community for over a decade, now faces possible ruin due to the European Union's current packaging and packaging waste regulations (PPWR) and extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules. These policies, while designed to combat environmental issues, inadvertently threaten the survival of micro-businesses like ours by imposing unmanageable financial burdens.

For years, cross-border sales within the EU have accounted for an astounding 50% of our total revenue. This vital lifeline is now jeopardized by PPWR/EPR mandates that demand the employment of costly local representatives in every member state where we conduct sales. As a micro-enterprise, these requirements are financially impossible for us to meet, leaving us with no choice but to retreat from foreign markets, sacrificing growth and our dream of contributing to an interconnected European economy.

We're not just a story in isolation. Thousands of small family businesses across Europe face similar challenges. This pressure not only stifles innovation but also undermines the EU's economic diversity by unfairly burdening the very businesses that form its backbone. Small and micro-enterprises are already operating with limited resources, and added regulatory demands can seal their fate, overshadowing the environmental benefits these policies aim to achieve.

The European Union has been a beacon for unity and economic collaboration. We believe in its core values and applaud efforts towards sustainability. However, it is crucial to balance ecological goals with economic realities. Implementing a harmonious and supportive regulatory environment offers a pathway where small businesses can thrive without being penalized.

We urgently call upon EU policymakers to introduce fair exemptions for micro-enterprises within the PPWR/EPR framework and develop a unified EU One-Stop-Shop solution. This approach would streamline compliance, lower costs, and still contribute towards sustainability goals without excluding the very businesses that contribute to the EU's diversity and strength.

Your support is essential in driving change and preserving the livelihood of small enterprises across Europe. By signing this petition, you are lending your voice to a cause that balances the well-being of our environment with the survival of our communities' heart and soul—the small business owners. Please, sign and share to help us keep our doors open and our dreams alive.