Making Sustainable Products the Norm: The EU’s Sustainable Products Initiative

The European Commission is set to introduce groundbreaking legislation designed to make sustainable products a standard across the EU market. This ambition, part of the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI), was first outlined in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and aims to foster responsible supply chains while combating greenwashing practices.

Key Features of the Sustainable Products Initiative

• Repairability and Durability: Rules will encourage design improvements such as repairable smartphones and longer-lasting clothing.
• Ban on Destruction of Unsold Goods: New laws will prohibit the destruction of unsold products, reducing waste dramatically.
• Transparency and Product Information: A centralized, EU-wide product database (product passport) will grant consumers access to detailed sustainability metrics, including:
  • Repairability
  • Resource efficiency
  • Carbon footprint
  • Chemical content
  • Due diligence in supply chains

European Environmental Bureau (EEB) Position and Contributions

The EEB actively supports the SPI, advocating for robust, ambitious legislation that protects both consumers and the environment. In their 2021 position paper, the EEB stresses:

• The integration of social and environmental due diligence criteria in product policies.
• Substitution of hazardous substances in everyday commodities.
• Ensuring product claims reflect true sustainability, thereby tackling greenwashing.

Moreover, the EEB provides in-depth analyses highlighting the importance of sustainable procurement as a means to drive market transformation towards circularity.

Expected Outcomes and Broader Impact

Once enacted, these measures are expected to accelerate Europe’s transition toward a less wasteful and more circular economy, enhancing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Consumers will benefit from access to trustworthy product information, enabling better purchasing decisions aligned with sustainability goals.

For detailed insights and policy briefings, visit the European Environmental Bureau’s library and stay tuned for updates on this pivotal EU legislation.

About the European Environmental Bureau (EEB)

The EEB is a leading alliance of environmental citizens’ organizations in Europe, championing sustainability in policies that impact nature, consumers, and the economy. Funded partly by the EU, it maintains an independent and authoritative stance to influence policy for a greener future.

Contact:
European Environmental Bureau
Rue des Deux Eglises 14-16, B-1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 289 10 90
Email: eeb@eeb.org

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Published: 14 June 2021
Source: European Environmental Bureau

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