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Deal. 14 This action plan reemphasises the importance of reducing
waste and creating markets for secondary raw materials. It also
strengthens product policies aimed at circular design, reuse of
products and extended producer responsibility (EPR). In an EPR
scheme, producers take more responsibility for the treatment or
disposal of goods after consumption. Furthermore, the action plan
promotes frontrunner performance as progressively becoming
the norm. What I find most commendable is that the formulated
actions are not without obligation: most are legislative proposals
and mandatory criteria for a sustainable product policy framework.
The action plan identifies seven key product value chains:
electronics, ICT equipment, textiles, furniture and high-impact
intermediary products, such as steel, cement and chemicals. In
implementing the action plan, the European Commission
intends to cooperate closely with stakeholders of these product
chains. New product groups will be identified based on their
environmental impact and circularity potential. The provision of
information to the consumer is also explicitly part of this policy.
A number of great initiatives cited in the action plan can clearly
steer the economy in a circular direction. For example, green public
procurement is currently a voluntary instrument for procuring
goods, services or works with reduced environmental impacts,
though plans for new mandatory criteria are underway. Mandatory
criteria for recycled plastic content are also being considered,
as are plastic waste reduction measures for key products, such
as packaging, construction materials and vehicles. Furthermore,
proposals have been issued for the restriction of intentionally
added microplastics and measures on the unintentional release
of microplastics. The European Commission also wants to include
‘right to repair’ regulations in its Ecodesign Framework Directive
to improve the reuse and recycling of electronic goods.
14 European Commission, Circular Economy Action Plan: For a Cleaner and
More Competitive Europe, EU Green Deal, Brussels, 2020, https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/new_circular_economy_action_
plan.pdf.