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EU Parliament approves new ‘ecodesign’ rules to make products more sustainable

(EurActiv, 24 Apr 2024) The European Parliament approved on Tuesday (23 April) new rules to make products sold in the EU more reusable, repairable, upgradeable, and recyclable.

The leading lawmaker on the file, socialist Alessandra Moretti from Italy, said it was “time to put an end to the ‘take, make, throw away’ model that is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy”.

A key element of the Green Deal, the revised ‘Ecodesign regulation’ is part of the circular economy package, which aims for the EU to use and reuse materials far more efficiently. The package also contributes towards the EU’s goal of having net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and should reduce harm to the environment.

Developing recycling and sustainability

According to Eurostat, just under 13% of materials were recycled and reintroduced into the European economy in 2020.

The new ecodesign rules will update the current 2009 directive, which exclusively concerned energy-related products, in terms of efficiency and circularity. This text led to a 10% reduction in the annual energy consumption of the products concerned.

External link

EurActiv, 24 Apr 2024: EU Parliament approves new ‘ecodesign’ rules to make products more sustainable

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