Orgalim welcomes the proposal for a Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products

Orgalim welcomes the proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products adopted by the European Commission today which is a core pillar of the EU’s new Circular Economy Action Plan. The proposed Regulation is part of today’s package of European Green Deal proposals to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, boost circular business models and empower consumers for the green transition. 

"Europe's technology industries provide the innovative solutions required to unlock the circular economy. We see a clear competitive advantage here in Europe which the EU should leverage to the fullest extent as it shifts to sustainable production and consumption patterns," said Malte Lohan, Orgalim Director General.

We especially welcome and support:

• A harmonised EU framework which is essential to secure the continued functioning of the Single Market, one of the EU’s success stories and major achievements.

• The Ecodesign instrument which already delivered for EU consumers, industry and the planet by taking due consideration of all aspects of the life cycle of the product and setting measurable and enforceable requirements.

• That the Commission will continue to set ecodesign requirements product by product - to take into account individual characteristics and specificities of products - in product-specific legislation via the adoption of delegated acts, based on the best available evidence through impact assessments, and transparent and inclusive consultation of stakeholders.

• The measures to help SMEs with the general implementation of this Regulation and the future delegated acts. 

​​​​​​​Orgalim will be carefully assessing the details of the proposal for a Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products to make sure it strikes the right balance. In particular:

• The implementation of the proposed new requirements must be workable, proportionate and must contribute to a circular economy. There must be proven environmental benefits that exceed the costs to industry.

• The requirements must be verifiable and enforceable to guarantee a level playing field.

• The protection of European Intellectual Property Rights regarding confidential business information on products must be guaranteed in particular in the context of the digital product passports.

Orgalim is committed to continue working closely with policymakers to ensure the proposed new Regulation on ecodesign for sustainable products achieves maximum benefit for the future competitiveness of Europe’s manufacturing industries, and for the EU economy as a whole.

In this context we have been active on several fronts, notably to:

• contribute to the consultation from the Commission on the Sustainable Products Initiative by providing detailed recommendations through our Position Paper.

• publish a series of case studies to boost understanding of how the technologies our industries provide enable greater circularity and improved sustainability of products

• engage the broader industry and stakeholder community around a common agenda through multiple meetings and events, including our Policy Exchange on Sustainable Products and the Digital Product Passport on 29 June 2021 and again on 1 June 2022. Information on this event is available soon here.

• Provide recommendations on the actions proposed in the new Circular Economy Action Plan through our Position Paper.

To know more about Orgalim’s work on sustainable products, please contact Stéphanie Mittelham, Manager Energy and Environment.