Meeting in the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), on Thursday 25 September, MEPs approved (39 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions) the own-initiative report by David Cormand (Greens/EFA, French) on the revision of the European legislative framework for products “to support the digital and sustainable transition”.
The report primarily focuses on the future Digital Product Passport (DPP) (see EUROPE 13618/33), which is seen as a “key tool” for ensuring product conformity and market surveillance.
It recommends the gradual introduction of the DPP for all products concerned, both new and second-hand, electronic and non-electronic, in a phased approach, which would also enable better monitoring of the provenance of products.
Some of the report’s proposals are in line with the recommendations of the report by Salvatore De Meo MEP (EPP, Italian) on products from e-commerce platforms and ways of combating the abuses observed, particularly with regard to the hazardous nature of certain products and their environmental and health impact (see EUROPE 13677/10).
David Cormand’s report suggests, for example, strengthening the liability of companies, especially non-European ones, which should be obliged to appoint a “Responsible Person” within the EU for the checks and compliance of items sold.
The designation of a European-based operator to ensure that these platforms are as strictly as possible subject to the Digital Services Act is a long-standing demand from many sectors facing competition from China (see EUROPE 13713/19).
The report also proposes better support for the circular economy, with the possibility of reduced VAT on second-hand products and a right to repair.
See the report and the compromise amendments adopted: https://aeur.eu/f/im7 (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)