The circular economy, an essential model for a sustainable future
The circular economy has become a key priority for the European Union (EU) in its quest to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This transition requires an in-depth review of our production and consumption patterns, promoting sustainability, the reuse of resources and the reduction of waste.
Circular economy action plan
In March 2020, the European Commission launched an ambitious action plan with over 30 measures to promote the circular economy. The plan is structured around four major themes:
- Designing sustainable products : Eco-design is at the heart of this approach, with increasing requirements for durability and reparability for products placed on the EU market.
- Empowering consumers to choose:: Citizens need to be informed and encouraged to make informed choices, particularly in terms of responsible consumption and repair rather than replacement.
- Targeting key sectors: Certain sectors, such as electronics, construction, textiles and plastics, are particularly concerned by the transition to a circular economy because of their high resource consumption and environmental impact.
- Reducing waste: The aim is to reduce waste production and encourage the recycling, reuse and recovery of materials.
The right to reparation: a crucial step
On February 2, 2024, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the Right to Repair Directive. This directive aims to guarantee consumers the right to have their products repaired rather than replaced. The main provisions of the agreement include:
– Consumers will be able to demand the repair of technically repairable products, such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners or cell phones.
– A European repair information form will be made available free of charge.
– An online platform will make it easier for consumers to contact repairers.
– The seller’s liability period after a product has been repaired will be extended by 12 months.
By encouraging repair rather than replacement, this directive will help to extend the life of products, reduce waste and promote more sustainable business models.
Designing sustainable products
Ecodesign is an essential pillar of the circular economy. Since 2009, the Ecodesign Directive has imposed energy efficiency requirements on a range of products. In December 2023, new rules were adopted to extend these requirements to a wider range of sustainable products. These rules aim to establish environmental sustainability criteria for almost all types of goods on the EU market, as well as introducing a « digital product passport » providing information on the environmental sustainability of products.
For example, the Universal Charger Directive, adopted in November 2022, will make USB-C charging ports mandatory for various electronic devices. These rules will promote the durability, repairability and recyclability of electronic products, thus helping to reduce waste.
Giving consumers the means to choose
Consumers play a crucial role in the transition to a circular economy. In September 2023, political agreement was reached on a directive to empower consumers to act in favor of the ecological transition. This directive aims to provide consumers with reliable information to help them make eco-friendly choices, protect them against misleading environmental claims and inform them about the reparability of products before purchase.
For example, the introduction of harmonized labeling including information on the commercial guarantee of sustainability offered by producers will help consumers to choose sustainable and repairable products.
Targeting key sectors
Certain sectors are at the heart of the transition to a circular economy. For example, the electrical and electronic equipment sector is facing rapid growth in waste. In November 2022, the EU adopted the Universal Charger Directive, making USB-C charging ports mandatory for various electronic devices. These rules will encourage the design of more durable, energy-efficient and easy-to-repair products.
Similarly, the EU’s strategy for textiles from theThe aim is to make textiles more sustainable, repairable and recyclable by 2030. Every year, 12 kg of textile waste per person is produced and 22% of this waste is collected separately for reuse or recycling..
n November 2022, a proposal to revise the rules on packaging and packaging waste was put forward by the European Commission, with the Council agreeing its negotiating position in December 2023. The proposal includes packaging waste reduction targets at member state level, restrictions on over-packaging, support for reuse and refill systems, and mandatory deposit systems for plastic bottles and aluminum cans. This general orientation will form the negotiating mandate with the European Parliament for the final text of the legislative act.
Reducing waste
The European Union is implementing a series of ambitious measures to strengthen its waste management legislation. The Waste Framework Directive, in force since July 2020, sets precise targets for member states. It aims to increase municipal waste recycling by 55% by 2025, introduce separate collection of textiles and hazardous household waste by January 2025, and organize separate collection or recycling of bio-waste.
As part of the action plan for the circular economy, the Commission is also proposing measures to reduce food waste. It aims to reduce the latter by 10% in food processing and manufacturing, and by 30% in retail and consumption by 2030.
At the same time, new EU rules favoring water reuse came into force in June 2023, notably to promote agricultural irrigation. In addition, the EU is working to revise the rules on urban wastewater treatment. The aim is to extend these rules to smaller towns, improve treatment operations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen pandemic monitoring and prevention. In January 2024, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on these updated rules, which still require formal adoption to become binding.
In conclusion, the circular economy is essential to guarantee a sustainable future. The measures adopted by the EU, such as the right to repair, eco-design of products, eco-labeling and waste reduction, will help to promote more sustainable production and consumption patterns, while stimulating innovation and economic competitiveness.
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