Circular economy… worldwide changes

What changes worldwide could have the biggest impact on the circular economy? Read our selection for you for January 2021.

European Parliament adopts resolution on more sustainable single market

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution, “Towards a more sustainable single market for business and consumers”.

The resolution welcomes the European Commission’s New Action Plan for the Circular Economy, but calls for further measures to promote durable products (which are easier to repair and reuse), strengthen consumer rights, tackle planned obsolescence and facilitate repairs.

The Parliament also calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive strategy to promote a reuse culture.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

ENVI Committee prepares initiative report on the circular economy action plan

The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) is preparing its own initiative report following the adoption of the New Action Plan for the Circular Economy.

The parliament will use the initiative report to call on the European Commission to act on different aspects of the action plan.

The draft report includes the following actions:

• broadening the scope of the eco-design directive
• supporting the rollout of digital product passports to keep track of a product’s environmental impact through the value chain
• strengthening consumer rights – particularly the “right to repair”
• implementing a new regulatory framework for batteries
• including an objective to make all packaging reusable or recyclable
• phasing out microplastics
• prioritizing waste prevention

ENVI will vote on the report in January and a plenary vote will follow in February 2021.