In the future, products should last longer and be easier to repair: This is what the ecodesign regulation, which the EU Parliament has approved, envisages. The destruction of unsold textiles and electronic devices is also to be banned.
The EU Parliament wants to ban the destruction of unsold textiles and electronic devices in the future. In Strasbourg, MEPs voted with a large majority in favor of the Commission’s proposal for the so-called Ecodesign Regulation. It aims to improve the sustainability and lifespan of products in the European Union. Now the talks between the federal states and parliament can begin.
In some points, Parliament is campaigning for even stricter consumer protection requirements. “It is time to end the economic model of a throwaway society – ‘take, make, throw away’ – said the Socialist Italian rapporteur in Parliament Alessandra Moretti.
Sustainable products are set to become the norm in the future and should enable consumers to “save energy, make repairs easier and make smarter environmental choices when shopping”. In addition, the lifespan of a product should not be limited by “design features”. According to the draft law, software updates, spare parts and accessories must be “available for a reasonable period of time”.
Digital Product Passport
In addition, a digital product pass with precise and up-to-date information on products is intended to increase transparency and provide consumers with information about sustainability. The ban on destroying unsold goods is aimed in particular at so-called fast fashion:
According to the EU Commission, the phenomenon that shoes and clothing are produced cheaply and end up in the shredder if no suitable buyer can be found has increased in recent years as a result of online trading.
The authority presented its draft regulation in March 2022, and in May of this year the EU member states agreed in principle on a negotiating position. Parliament has now done the same, allowing negotiations to begin with member states for a final version of the law.
praise from the clothing foundation
The German Clothing Foundation welcomed the EU Commission’s proposals for a circular economy for textiles. Responsible waste management is urgently needed in this area, said Managing Director Ulrich Müller. According to the EU Commission, only 22 percent of shoes and clothing are currently reused, the rest end up in landfills or are incinerated.