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Today, the European Commission has presented a Circular Economy Package, including proposals to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, boost circular business models and empower consumers for the green transition. [1] [2]
The proposed measures are essential for the EU to reach climate neutrality, and ECOS has been calling for them for years.
However, ECOS warns that whether today’s package lives up to its full potential will depend on how much teeth the final bills have after going through the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Below, you can find our initial assessment of the initiatives presented today.
Sustainable Products Initiative: EU’s world-leading ambition has real potential to make sustainable products the norm – but only if implemented swiftly and without loopholes
Ioana Popescu, Senior Programme Manager at Environmental Coalition on Standards, said:
Today, the European Commission is taking a leap towards a true circular economy, finally addressing negative environmental impacts embedded in product design. This initiative has real potential to make all products placed on the EU market repairable, durable, reusable, energy-efficient and free of hazardous chemicals. However, the success of the initiative will depend on how ambitious future product requirements are, as well as on how swiftly they are adopted.
A more detailed ECOS reaction to the SPI can be found here.
Construction Products Regulation – sustainability requirements finally on the menu
With the revamped Construction Products Regulation released today, the European Commission wants to put the construction sector on the path to circularity. The new regulation will introduce environmental and information requirements to construction products.
The Commission also proposes to put an end to the current regulatory approach that has failed to deliver concrete change, especially when it comes to the environmental impact of construction products. Requirements will be set by policy makers and not standardisers, as is the case today.
ECOS welcomes this shift. However, campaigners warn that it will now be essential to establish a clear timeline and work plan, as in the case of products regulated under the ecodesign for sustainable products framework. This is especially important given the large number of product categories that will be included in the CPR.
Federica Pozzi, Programme Manager, ECOS – Environmental Coalition on Standards:
Today, the European Commission has made a dramatic shift in the way it regulates construction products. Ecodesign will apply to products such as bricks, roof tiles, and insulation materials. It is high time for decision makers to take matters into their own hands when it comes to the sustainability of this sector.
Strategy on Sustainable Textiles – Commission’s initiative finally addressing fast fashion
With the new Strategy, the EU makes important steps towards reforming the sector. It announces upcoming mandatory ecodesign requirements and reinforced market surveillance, introduces more transparency with digital product passports, aims to stop the destruction of unsold or return textiles, highlights measures to tackle microplastic pollution, and introduces extended producer requirements for textiles. In addition, the proposal indicates clear targets for textile reuse.
ECOS is also pleased to see the plans for a revision of the Textile Labelling Regulation, which would include mandatory disclosure of ‘made in’ claims hopefully including clear criteria in the future.
Whether the framework is successful will depend on the ambition of product requirements and on other supporting legally binding measures.
Valeria Botta, Programme Manager, ECOS – Environmental Coalition on Standards
So far, the textile sector has largely been untouched by EU sustainability policies. Today’s Strategy, and the crucial decision to include textiles under the Sustainable Products Initiative, are a real milestone. We need to reduce resource use, and we need clothes designed to be used, mended and loved for a long time. Textiles should be toxic-free, and produced in a fair and sustainable way. The initiatives presented today can give the right impulse to transform the market, also beyond Europe. If the final bill shows bold ambition, Europe could truly hold the textile industry accountable for its huge environmental impacts.
Empowering consumers – Commission sends clear message: greenwashing will not be tolerated in the EU
Greenwashing is a widespread and growing problem. It misleads consumers and makes it difficult for truly sustainable products to be identified and gain competitive advantage. Currently, there is no legislation specifically addressing green claims featured on many products, making it impossible to regulate what companies can and cannot say, or to verify these claims.
The initiative on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition is a first step to tackle vague, irrelevant, misleading or factually wrong claims.
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It puts forward a full ban on a number of vague claims (‘eco-friendly’, ‘climate-friendly’), and on unreliable and non-transparent labels. No sustainability labels will be allowed unless they are part of a certification scheme or issued by a public authority.
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It will also tackle early obsolescence of products as an unfair commercial practice. While not all such practices will be banned, it will be mandatory to provide consumers with relevant information on their impacts.
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Companies will also have to inform consumers on product repairability and durability.
ECOS warns that the initiative will need to be strictly enforced if it is to bring tangible results. It will also be crucial to ensure that it is fully aligned with the Substantiating Green Claims Initiative, expected in the coming months.
Margaux Le Gallou, Programme Manager, ECOS – Environmental Coalition on Standards
Consumers must not be left to their own devices trying to work out which product is more sustainable – legislation must actively guide them towards products which are good for them and the environment. Forbidding misleading information is a must, as is sharing available information on product durability. What the initiative lacks, however, is a clear plan on how this is going to be put into action, especially by EU member states.
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