Post Type Archives: News & Events
Euro 7: New EU car emission standard not enough to reduce microplastic pollution from tyres
Standards that set limits on tyre abrasion emissions are much needed, so it is commendable that EU institutions now have a mandate to introduce such provisions unilaterally – something that environmental organisations have been calling for [1]. EU provisions will come into play if related negotiations at UN level do not deliver by July 2026 […]
Ambitious environmental policy, international cooperation, and momentum on standards: Highlights from 2023
International efforts towards sustainable products This year was a great success for ecodesign Our longstanding call for ecodesign rules to apply as broadly as possible was realised this year – the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is now ready to push the most polluting goods off the market and incentivise manufacturers to prioritise the […]
Revised EU rules for construction products miss the mark on sustainability
The EU must act to lower the massive environmental impact of the construction sector [1] so that it can meet its commitments to cut carbon footprints from buildings [2] and mitigate the impact of the climate crisis. The law finalised yesterday could have set mandatory EU requirements to eliminate the worst-performing products – as environmental […]
Plastic pollution: Tackling a global crisis with local action
Plastic pollution knows no boundaries. It is a global crisis that requires global action. Our cooperation with the Mekong Institute is one of the many approaches that we are taking to tackle plastic pollution across different levels, to reduce, reuse, refill and repair plastics and plastic products – a core component of the UN Plastics […]
Negotiations dilute EU building law: Member States now hold the reins
A heavily watered down Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has emerged from months of interinstitutional negotiations. Improving EU buildings is vital for the bloc’s climate and energy goals – buildings are accountable for 40% of EU energy consumption, and 75% of which are currently energy inefficient [1]. The law agreed upon today will set […]
With the ESPR, the EU launches a revolution in sustainable design
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will help to make sustainable products the norm in the EU. Up to 80% of environmental impacts are determined in the design phase, so it is crucial to tackle them head-on. The ESPR is a cornerstone of sustainability. Any company that puts a product on the EU market […]
Digging deep for World Soil Day
Earth. Tierra. Erde. Ziemia. Every single day we step on it, even our planet is named after it, yet evidence shows that we do not appreciate the crucial role that soil plays in sustaining life on Earth. Between 60 and 70% of soil in the EU is unhealthy – human activity is undermining life-giving soil […]
Watch it again! Hybrid Workshop: Why standards matter for environmental protection
The event brought together speakers from the European Commission, the Instituto Português da Qualidade (IPQ) as well as Portuguese civil society, to discuss why it is important for civil society to be involved in standardisation and how engagement of eNGOs in standards-making can be facilitated. It was held in Portuguese and English with interpretation. You […]
Q&A: New ecodesign regulation could activate an era of sustainable products
With our ecodesign expertise across many products and sectors, ECOS has advocated for an ambitious ESPR every step of the way – with many of our positions taken up by the European Commission and Parliament. We hope to see the ESPR’s transformative potential realised next week. What is the ESPR, and what products will it […]
