Lawmakers back EU ban on planned obsolescence, destruction of unsold goods

The European Parliament’s environment committee has adopted its position on the EU’s proposed ecodesign regulation for sustainable products, supporting an EU-wide ban on planned obsolescence as well as the destruction of unsold goods like textiles.

The new EU rules, first tabled by the European Commission in March 2022, aim to make everyday consumer products easier to repair, reuse and recycle, thereby reducing their impact on the environment.

The proposal received broad support with 68 votes in favour, 12 against and eight abstentions, suggesting it will also receive wide backing when it comes to a vote in the full Parliament plenary next month.

At the heart of the ecodesign regulation are new “digital product passports”, providing consumers and businesses with the details they need to make informed purchases. 

The passport will include instructions for easy repairing and recycling, as well as information on the product’s environmental impact. Consumers will be able to compare passports via an online platform. 

Priority will be given to metallurgic products, textiles, furniture, tyres, and chemicals, amongst others. 

A new feature added to the European Commission’s original proposal is a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles, footwear and electronic appliances.

Companies will be required to report the number of products destroyed and the reason for doing so, with the aim of introducing new destruction bans for more product categories at a later stage.

EU member states supported a similar ban last month, suggesting the proposal has good chances of being adopted.

No destroying unsold goods: EU countries agree on green product rules

The EU’s 27 countries have agreed a common position on the revamp of the bloc’s sustainable product rules, following strenuous negotiations about a sweeping ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear.

Ban on planned obsolescence

Lawmakers also voted to improve the life span of products with a ban on planned obsolescence. This means mobile devices, for instance, should come with software updates guaranteeing their longevity, as well as the necessary features to facilitate their repair for a sufficient period of time.

“It’s time to end the ‘take, make, dispose’ model which is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy,” said Alessandra Moretti, the Parliament’s speaker on the proposed regulation.

“This law will ensure that new products are designed in a way that brings benefits to all, respects our planet’s boundaries and protects the environment,” she added in a statement.

The ecodesign regulation will be voted on at the Parliament’s plenary sitting in July, with a view to finalising the approval of the new law with EU member states before the end of the year.

Brussels targets greenwashing, planned obsolescence in new EU consumer rules

New rules presented by the European Commission on Wednesday (30 March) aim to better protect consumers against false environmental claims and introduce a ban on greenwashing and planned obsolescence.

[Edited by Frédéric Simon/Zoran Radosavljevic]

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