Renovation is seen as a major investment area under the EU Recovery Package, that will strengthen the European Green Deal, as recently announced by EU Commission President von der Leyen. That is why the Commission is preparing its Renovation Wave Initiative. It aims to address widespread energy inefficiency of buildings in the EU. The idea […]
Post Type Archives: News & Events
ECOS will help draft a British standard for spilled plastic pellets – a major source of marine pollution
The standard, due to be published by BSI in July 2021, is referred to as PAS 510, and its full title reads: Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 510 “Plastic pellets, flakes and powders – Handling and management throughout the supply chain to prevent their leakage to the environment – Specification”. The aim of PAS 510 is […]
The HARP project releases their first newsletter
The HARP project is there to convince consumers to plan the replacement of their old, inefficient appliances before they stop working. A lot has happened since the project started a year ago, as you can find out by reading the first newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter to receive the next one directly in your […]
ECOS submits a favourable opinion on the method for measuring the performance of washing machines
The standardisation committee for white goods took a final vote over the proposed modifications on the standard for measuring the performance of household washing machines. ECOS is in favour of adopting the last version of the text as the common modifications at stake introduce some significant technical improvements to the current method. ECOS believes that […]
Not quite good enough: New energy standards for vacuum cleaners still vulnerable to potential abuse
The day vacuum cleaners will carry energy labels again is coming slowly but surely. After Dyson challenged the label in the European Court of Justice in 2018 and won, labels for vacuum cleaners were suspended. To bring them back, the European Commission is working on an updated version of the ecodesign regulation. ECOS is watching […]
ECOS will contribute to the European strategy for a better re-use of critical raw materials
Proper waste management is one of the main challenges we face in the quest for a real circular economy – especially when it comes to re-using Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), essential to modern technology and clean energy devices. CRMs re-use is challenging as they are often used in low quantities and concentrations, making their recovery […]
Packaging requirements – when recycling is not enough
Since last year, the European Commission has been looking into ways of reinforcing the essential requirements for packaging in the EU. As part of the process, the consulting firm Eunomia has undertaken the preparatory work for a review of the current essential requirements for packaging, looking into the effectiveness of the current EU packaging laws […]
MEPs call on the Commission to follow civil society approach in textile strategy
MEPs stress in a letter sent today (3 June 2020) the “need to adopt a truly comprehensive approach that deals with the various issues highlighted in [the] civil society strategy, including human rights, environment, governance, and gender”. Following the announcement of a new ‘comprehensive strategy for textiles’ by the European Commission, in April a collective […]
Industrial transformation for a more resilient future – new NGO position
Given the large-scale decisions and investments required to address industrial production, the choices we make today will impact the infrastructure and production processes of tomorrow. This is why ECOS has joined a range of leading European NGOs, in preparing a comprehensive policy briefing outlining the policy measures necessary for achieving industrial transformation in the EU. […]
New study – Refrigerators, heat pumps and air conditioning systems could be greener today as wider use of natural refrigerants is safe
Natural refrigerants such as propane are being phased in as greener alternatives to HFC gases but their spread is still limited as industry and regulators have concerns over their flammability. Less-restrictive limits would allow for a much wider market uptake of greener fridges, freezers, air conditioning systems, and heat pumps. A scoop of cold chocolate […]
