European Parliament votes for ambitious ecodesign rules that will bring us closer to a circular economy
ECOS has long campaigned for the EU to raise its sustainability ambitions using expanded ecodesign principles that focus on more products and sectors. The existing Ecodesign Directive has already successfully reduced the emissions and improved the circularity of many products since its entry into force in 2009. Strong ecodesign rules for products help to create an energy efficient, circular, and toxic-free economy – a transition that, so far, has been too slow.
The ESPR – Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – is a landmark piece of legislation with the potential to transform products on the European market and beyond – from consumer to industrial products. The proposal from the European Commission in March 2022 took our advocacy into account and broadened the scope of ecodesign to more comprehensive environmental indicators and additional sectors.
Since then, we have worked to improve upon that proposal, finding our first major mark of success in the plenary vote in the European Parliament on July 12. The text adopted by MEPs reflects the environmental and health concerns of Europeans by reducing the destruction of unsold goods, including material footprints as an indicator for success of the ESPR, defining premature obsolescence, and supporting the right to repair. It also addresses chemicals by demanding full transparency across the value chain.
Likewise, the European Parliament has built on the Commission’s proposal when it comes to enforcement. MEPs voted to make the oversight process of an Ecodesign Forum more inclusive. But more can still be done – like properly funding civil society to participate. The Parliament also took a strong stance regarding market surveillance to ensure an effective enforcement of ESPR requirements. However, economic operators are treated differently because there is less clarity on the role and responsibilities of online marketplaces. The ESPR will accelerate this transition – if policymakers transform the European Parliament’s ambitious call into concrete action.
In reaction to this important vote, Valeria Botta, Head of Circular Economy & Nature at ECOS – Environmental Coalition on Standards, said:
“Today’s vote is a major accomplishment. The ESPR is a key piece of legislation with a ripple effect that will reverberate for years. It opens the door for many sectors to finally be put under the spotlight – reconceptualising how products must be designed.
The European Parliament has shown willingness to lead, calling for an end to premature obsolescence, a ban on the destruction of unsold goods (starting with textiles and electronics), a reduction of chemical pollution from everyday products, and a focus on addressing the EU’s harmful material footprint.”
The negotiating positions of the European Parliament and Council, agreed at the end of May, are now clear, and so are the opportunities that lie ahead. Next, this issue will be debated by the European Commission, Parliament, and Council. We hope to see a final text that is as close as possible to the Parliament’s vision for sustainable products. Such a step would give clear rules so that sustainable products become the norm and, crucially, accelerate Europe’s green transition at a key moment.