The European Parliament not only wants to promote sustainable products in the EU, whether they are manufactured in Europe or imported from third countries, but also sustainable consumption, in line with the requirements of the ‘European Green Deal’.
On Wednesday 12 July, by a large majority (473 votes in favour, 110 against and 69 abstentions), it supported and even strengthened the March 2022 proposal for a ‘Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products’, which will establish a harmonised framework in the EU for setting ecodesign and information requirements for categories of products placed on the EU market, with the exception of foodstuffs, animal feed and medicines (see EUROPE 12922/1).
Parliament has adopted the report by Alessandra Moretti (S&D, Italian), as voted in the Environment Committee (ENVI), on this flagship circular economy legislation (see EUROPE 13202/2).
The ECR group’s amendments aimed at weakening its scope were rejected. The way is now open for the start of negotiations with the Council of the EU and the Commission (trilogues).
For Parliament, the life of a product should not be affected by design features, a practice of premature obsolescence that should be banned. Software updates, consumables (ink cartridges, light bulbs, coffee pods), spare parts and accessories must also be available for an appropriate period of time.
Parliament wants the digital product passport to enable consumers to compare product repairability scores online and make informed choices.
It sets out the following as priority product categories for the development of ecodesign requirements: iron, steel, aluminium, textiles – including clothing and footwear – furniture, tyres, detergents, paints, lubricants and chemicals.
Parliament also wants an immediate ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and electrical and electronic equipment.
“This law will ensure that new products are designed to benefit everyone, respect the limits of our planet and protect the environment. Sustainable products will become the norm, enabling consumers to save energy, repair products more easily, and make intelligent environmental choices when shopping”, Ms Moretti stressed before the vote.
Speaking on behalf of the Industry Committee (ITRE), María Spyráki (EPP, Greek) welcomed a proposal that constitutes “the cornerstone of our new approach to the internal market for more circular and sustainable products”, but also “for new [circular] economic models”.
This is “a victory for consumers, a victory for the planet over a consumer society”, said David Cormand (Greens/EFA, French), rapporteur for the opinion.
The European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, thanked Ms Moretti and all the political group rapporteurs for having done “a considerable amount of work in just over a year”, showing that they had “understood the potential” of this future regulation for the circular economy and “maintained a high level of environmental ambition in many respects”.
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) immediately welcomed the high level of ambition and a “victory for sustainable products and the environment”, but would have liked to see more vigilance on the part of online platforms.
The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), the leading voice of the sporting goods industry in Europe, welcomed the vote as a step forward for “the sustainability and environmental responsibility of the sector”, while expressing “serious concerns about the ban on the destruction of unsold goods”. Hence its call for exemptions for certain specific goods.
The EU Council’s position significantly extends the timetables for application and provides for a ban on unsold textile products only, with a four-year derogation for medium-sized businesses and a general derogation for small and micro-enterprises (see EUROPE 13185/1).
See the European Parliament’s negotiating position: https://aeur.eu/f/81k (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)