Ecodesign: more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient products

Products to last longer and be easier to repair, upgrade, and recycle

Sustainability requirements should be prioritised for e.g. steel, textiles, furniture, tyres, chemicals."

Destruction of unsold textiles and electronic equipment should be banned

On Wednesday, Parliament agreed on its negotiating position for talks with EU governments on a new law to make products in the EU more sustainable.

MEPs in plenary adopted a report prepared by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on revising the EU’s ecodesign framework for sustainable products, by 473 votes in favour, 110 against and 69 abstentions.

In their negotiating mandate, MEPs strengthen the measures proposed by the Commission to ensure longer product lifespans and better-informed consumers.

The lifetime of a product should not be limited through design features. Software updates, consumables (e.g. ink cartridges, light bulbs, coffee pads), spare parts and accessories must also be available for an appropriate period. A new “product passport” containing accurate and up to date information would be set up to increase transparency and enable consumers to make informed purchasing choices.

The text asks the Commission to prioritise the setting of sustainability requirements for a number of product groups in the upcoming ecodesign measures, such as iron, steel, aluminium, textiles, furniture, tyres, detergents, paints, lubricants and chemicals. MEPs also want a specific ban on destroying unsold textiles and electrical and electronic equipment." Read more in link...