THE STRATEGIC CONTEXT FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL

The circular bioeconomy is an innovative concept, focused on the integration of the principles of the circular economy in the use of biological resources, including in agriculture, forestry and other industries based on natural resources. Although in some EU countries, the principles of the circular economy were adopted much earlier, many EU countries, including Romania, still face challenges in their implementation. That is why it is important that the transition to a circular bioeconomy is favored by a legislative framework that does not create barriers, but rather stimulates this transition. In this context, the present study aims to present the European legislative framework for the transition to a circular bioeconomy, through a review of the policies and strategies delimited at the level of the European Union, the indicators of the circular economy at the European level and an overview of the potential for circular economy of fruit and vegetable waste and byproducts.