Making Sustainable Products the Norm: EU’s Ambitious Initiative

Overview

The European Commission is set to introduce new legislation aimed at making sustainable products the default in the European market. This initiative, known as the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI), was first outlined in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and is slated for announcement by the end of 2021. The goal is to foster responsible supply chains, improve product durability and repairability, and combat greenwashing practices.

Key Features of the Initiative

• Durability and Repairability: Rules will focus on products such as smartphones and clothing to ensure they last longer and can be repaired easily.
• Ban on Destruction of Unsold Goods: To reduce waste, laws will prohibit the deliberate destruction of unsold consumer goods.
• Combatting Greenwashing: The initiative will introduce measures to push back against misleading environmental claims by companies.

European Environmental Bureau (EEB) Position

The EEB strongly advocates for ambitious rules protecting consumers and the environment. Their position highlights the importance of:

• Integrating social and environmental due diligence in product policies.
• Phasing out hazardous substances from everyday products.
• Increasing transparency about the true sustainability of consumer goods.

Product Passport: A Centralized Database

A crucial component of the SPI is the development of a centralized, EU-wide database—referred to as the product passport. This database would provide detailed information on:

• Repairability
• Durability
• Resource use
• Carbon footprint
• Chemical content
• Due diligence standards

Such transparency is designed to empower consumers to make informed choices favoring sustainable products.

Broader Implications

This policy paves the way for Europe’s transition toward a circular economy, emphasizing resource efficiency and waste reduction. The EEB has also issued related analyses and policy briefings on the potential of sustainable procurement as a tool for broader systemic change.

Additional Resources

• EEB Policy Briefing on Sustainable Procurement: Explores how procurement policies can accelerate sustainability.
• Position Paper: Detailed EEB recommendations for the Sustainable Products Initiative.

About the European Environmental Bureau (EEB)

The EEB is a Brussels-based network of environmental citizens’ organizations working to promote sustainable development and the circular economy across Europe. For more information, visit eeb.org.

References

• European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan, 2020
• European Environmental Bureau Position Paper, June 2021

This summary is provided by an authoritative organic and sustainable products blog, aiming to keep readers informed about groundbreaking policies driving the eco-friendly product market forward.

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