The European Parliament has voted in favour of revisions to the EU’s ecodesign framework for sustainable products that will require EU-purchased items to last longer and be easier to repair, upgrade, and recycle.
MEPs in plenary adopted the report prepared by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety by 473 votes in favour, 110 against, and 69 abstentions.
In the negotiating mandate, MEPs strengthen the measures proposed by the Commission to ensure longer product lifespans and better-informed customers. Sustainability requirements should be prioritised for steel, textiles, furniture, tyres, and chemicals. MEPs have also voted that the destruction of unsold textiles and electronic equipment should be banned.
The lifetime of a product should not be limited through design features. Software updates, consumables (such as ink cartridges, light bulbs, and 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 will be set up to increase transparency and enable customers to make more 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.
Rapporteur, Alessandra Moretti, said: “It’s time to end the ‘take, make, dispose’ model which is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy. This law will ensure that new products are designed in a way that brings benefits to everyone and which respects our planet’s boundaries and protects the environment.
“Sustainable products will become the norm, allowing consumers to save energy, make repairs easier, and make smart environmental choices when they shop – saving themselves money in the long-run.”
The Eu Parliament is now ready to begin talks with national governments on the final form of the law.
The proposal is part of a circular economy package which also includes an EU strategy for sustainable textiles and a proposal on empowering consumers for the green transition. In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to build a circular economy by promoting sustainable EY products and production, and to support the shift to a sustainable and resilient growth model.
