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Requirements for durability, reparability, recyclability and environmentally friendly disposal should be considered as early as the product design stage. To ensure that this happens, the TÜV association is calling for the introduction of binding sustainability criteria for the development of new products in the European Union.
„Consumers should be able to easily recognise which products are recyclable and whether they already contain recycled materials,“ says Juliane Petrich, sustainability and policy officer at the MOT-association. Compliance with the requirements should therefore be independently verified and the products labelled accordingly. Necessary is the Development of generally recognised test criteria and involvement of independent third parties, to ensure that the requirements are met.
„Basic principles of sustainability by design should be extended to as many product categories as possible, for example electrical appliances such as smartphones or tablets, furniture, textiles or building materials.„
Juliane Petrich
On 30 March, the European Commission will present its Sustainable Product Initiative (SPI). Its aim is to all products placed on the market in the EU are as sustainable, durable, reusable, repairable and recyclable as possible and are produced in an energy-efficient manner. The initiative is part of the action plan for a European circular economy.
The TÜV Association expressly welcomes the SPI for sustainable products. Petrich: „The EU initiative opens up the possibility of consistently integrating environmental and climate protection into economic activity.“ In its current position paper „Circular economy made in Europe“, the TÜV Association formulates the following in this regard political recommendations, how a sustainable transformation can succeed.
Advantages for companies and consumers
„Made in Europe“ can become a promise of value and quality in the context of the circular economy and strengthen the competitiveness of European companies in international comparison. For the TÜV Association, in addition to binding sustainability criteria, the Establishment of independent conformity assessments in focus. Independent testing organisations can ensure that circular requirements are actually implemented. Clear and independent labelling informs consumers which products are recyclable or contain a minimum proportion of recyclates.
„Europe can become the Pioneer for resource-saving and high-quality circular product solutions, technologies and business models become. Binding sustainability requirements help manufacturers to produce products that last longer, are of higher quality and are made from reclaimed or recyclable materials.“
Juliane Petrich
Digitalisation as an opportunity
Reducing the amount of waste is a key objective in a circular economy. The use of reusable materials will therefore play an important role in the future. However, users will only accept recycled materials if the same requirements apply to their use as for virgin materials. „A two-tier system of virgin and recycled materials must not be allowed to develop,“ says Petrich. „In particular Requirements for the quality of the processes and the resulting recyclates should therefore be defined by law and independently reviewed.“
Furthermore, in a functioning circular economy digital technologies play a greater role play. Digitalisation offers numerous opportunities, for example for more efficient waste separation or innovative business models that open up usage paths beyond the individual ownership of products. The prerequisite is that the ecological and social footprint of digital technologies is as small as possible.
„Electrical appliances in particular break down too quickly or are designed in such a way that they only have a lifespan of two to three years. In order to effectively prevent electronic waste in the future, the technology industry itself must be committed to sustainable product design.“
Juliane Petrich
The TÜV Association also supports the introduction of digital product passports. Digital product passports can map all the important environmental and material data of a product. The prerequisite is that the information contained on the social and ecological impact of production and on the environmental properties of products or services is independently verified and therefore reliable.
Source: TÜV Association
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