As a result of the measures adoption, from 2021, halogenated flame retardants in plastic casing and stands of electronic displays will be banned from the EU market. This represents positive progress in view of the hazardousness of these substances, which present danger during the production and use stages, and hamper cost-effective recycling. Ecodesign for a […]
Post Type Archives: News & Events
Discover our work – Spotlight on biodegradable plastics
Biodegradable plastic is… plastic ! Most biodegradable plastics are synthesised from fossil resources, exactly as “regular” plastics are. The difference between the two is the expected end-of-life treatment : recycling for traditional plastics and composting or biodegradation in specific conditions for so-called biodegradable plastics. Both types of plastic can contribute to environmental pollution. ECOS works […]
ECOS participates in the development of the draft standardisation request for taps and showers
In May 2019, they published a follow-up study to better assess the approach to improve the environmental performance of taps and showerheads. Today, we are still awaiting the regulatory discussions and decisions on the way forward. In the meantime, however, the European Commission approached European Standardisation Organisation with the first draft standardisation request to develop […]
Biodegradable plastics – a convenient solution for failed plastic prevention policies?
The European Commission is expected to issue a framework for biodegradable and compostable plastics to outline the applications for which such plastics are considered suitable. Stakeholder workshops are being held and will contribute to define the do’s and don’ts regarding compostable and biodegradable plastics. In order to clarify the issue, we have developed a factsheet […]
Revision of the essential requirements for packaging
Together with NGO partners from the Rethink Plastic alliance and beyond, ECOS has been involved in the process and regrets the strong focus on recycling in the proposed policy options. Re-usable packaging is broadly overlooked simply because the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive is not considered an “adequate tool” to introduce requirements for re-use. We […]
Hands-on tips & joint discussion: a recap of ECOS training session
The training allowed participants to gain first-hand insights into the standardisation system from a range of different stakeholders. ECOS Policy Director Christophoros Spiliotopoulos illustrated the standardisation process and its close links to regulation, while our experienced expert Catriona McAlister gave practical examples of how to defend environmental interests in standardisation. A discussion with Ruben Dekker, […]
New Commission, new circular economy strategy
Alongside work on biodiversity, zero-pollution efforts and microplastics, von der Leyen has charged Virginijus Sinkevičius, the next Environment Commissioner, to put together a new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP). The CEAP is to “ensure sustainable resource use, notably in resource-intensive and high-impact sectors” and should support and feed into the new industrial strategy. Promising intentions […]
Microplastics pollution: less is more
Standardised methods are needed to consistently inform policy makers and stop the proliferation of (micro)plastics pollution. This will complement our work targeting the main sources of microplastic pollution, i.e. tyres, insufficient biodegradation criteria, intentionally added microplastics in products or pellet loss. Regarding the latter, ECOS is taking part in pilot work to find ways of […]
ECOS presents ANTICSS at the Ecotest project meeting
With the aim to find synergies between the running projects, ECOS presented the status of H2020 ANTICSS project at the Ecotest project meeting on 18 October. ANTICSS was presented by our Programme Manager Nerea Ruiz, responsible for the project at the ECOS Secretariat, and the newly appointed secretary to the standardisation group ECO-CG/Task Force 2 […]
New report from Rethink Plastic: How EU countries can quit single-use plastics and switch to reusables
The Reusable solutions: how governments can help stop single-use plastic pollution report, released by Rethink Plastic and Break Free From Plastic, shows how a mixture of public and private initiatives are slashing the consumption of single-use plastic packaging and products across Europe. The report shows how, with a mixture of public and private initiatives, governments can help […]
