MEPs on the European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) are backing the proposed EU ‘Ecodesign for Sustainable Products’ regulation as the centrepiece of the ‘European Green Deal’, which should be exploited to its full potential for the circular economy, the environment and the EU’s competitiveness, following the first parliamentary debate on the dossier on Thursday 12 January.
MEPs considered the draft report by Alessandra Moretti (S&D, Italian) on this legislation, which will establish a framework for setting ecodesign and information requirements for almost all products placed on the market, as an “excellent basis for work”.
The report strengthens the social sustainability of products to match environmental sustainability, explicitly mentions all priority product categories to be regulated, strengthens the right of information for consumers and end-users “to guide sustainable consumption patterns and adequate measures at the end of the products’ life”, said Ms Moretti (see EUROPE 13097/8).
It also strengthens the Ecodesign Forum and favours delegated acts over self-regulatory measures. It also provides for a cross-sectoral ban on the destruction of unsold goods for textiles and electronics, which “makes no sense from an environmental point of view”.
The list of these priority products has been announced by the European Commission by the end of January, Ms Moretti said.
During the debate, the EPP, Renew Europe and ECR groups stressed the importance of helping SMEs to comply with the regulation.
Jessica Polfjard (EPP, Swedish) cited as priorities for her group the coherence between this regulation, REACH and product safety legislation and the transitional period between the publication of ecodesign requirements and their entry into force to give industry time to adapt. However, she is concerned that the strengthening of the social dimension could lead to overload.
Sara Matthieu (Greens/EFA, Belgian) and Malin Björk (The Left, Swedish) said that the draft report is excellent and that the due diligence and social dimension are central aspects that should be more detailed, as in the regulation on batteries and their waste.
Jan Huitema (Renew Europe, Dutch), in favour of an “adequate transition period”, insisted on maintaining the flexibility foreseen for SMEs and on protecting the data to be provided by companies in the ‘product passport’. He also considered that the ban on the destruction of unsold goods should be removed.
The ECR group does not understand the removal of self-regulation measures or the ban on destroying unsold goods.
Ms Moretti “will support amendments that will strengthen the proposal and market surveillance to ensure a level playing field for our businesses”.
The deadline for tabling of amendments is 17 January, for a vote in the ENVI Committee on 5 June. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)