A better Detergents Regulation is possible, with the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee voting today for a stronger revised law than the European Commission had proposed back in April 2023. However, more efforts are needed to limit the use of chemicals that are harmful to health.
The new Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive will put the brakes on unchecked environmental claims in the EU and could usher in a new era for consumers, who may no longer be exposed to a barrage of greenwashing. But major gaps linked to enforcement and verification remain.
The EU has agreed on a new car emission standard, Euro 7, that will (among other things) set limits on emissions stemming from the abrasion of tyres while driving – a massive source of microplastic pollution. Although this is a step in the right direction, Euro 7 will unfortunately not sufficiently address Europe’s microplastic problem.
Negotiations on the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) have concluded, with green groups disappointed that sustainability requirements for construction products continue to lack vision and oversight. The EU’s failure to take meaningful action to regulate this hugely polluting sector means that for the time being the construction industry has dodged decarbonisation, derailing the EU’s path to carbon neutrality.
EU legislators suggested an end of fossil heating subsidies by 2025, targets to renovate EU’s building stock, and a reduction of buildings’ carbon footprint. However, the law leaves much leeway when it comes to national implementation, jeopardising its own social and environmental goals.
Negotiations on the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) [1] have concluded – activating a new era for sustainable products. More products will be covered by ambitious ecodesign rules, pushing the most polluting goods off the market and incentivising manufacturers to prioritise the environment. The ESPR is a victory for our planet – and for ECOS, following its longstanding call for optimised and broader ecodesign rules that apply to all sectors [2].
What is at stake as we head towards the trilogue on the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) on 4 December? Find out in our briefing.
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.