RREUSE Reappointed to the European Commission’s Ecodesign Forum
RREUSE will continue shaping EU product policy as a reappointed member of the European Commission’s Group of Experts on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and Energy Labelling (‘the Ecodesign Forum’) – a key advisory group aiming to implement the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This Forum plays a crucial role in defining horizontal ecodesign requirements and setting priorities for making sustainable products the norm across the EU.
The Forum comprises a wide range of stakeholders, from experts appointed by Member States to representatives of industry, civil society, and academia.
As the EU’s largest network of social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling, RREUSE advocates for ambitious and inclusive circular economy policies. By ensuring that sustainability policies also yield social impact, we offer a unique perspective to the forum. In our role on the Ecodesign Forum, we are committed to driving several critical priorities for our members:
Prioritising reuse and repair
Our efforts will focus on strengthening ecodesign requirements to extend product lifespans. This includes advocating for guaranteed access to spare parts, providing user-friendly repair guidelines, and ensuring affordable options for repair and reuse. Our goal is to prevent premature recycling by enabling products to be repaired, reused, or refurbished for as long as possible.
Incorporating social dimensions
We aim to integrate social considerations into circular economy policies to bridge the EU’s social and circular agendas. Recognising and supporting the role of social enterprises, which contribute to local job creation, promote social inclusion, and implement sustainable practices, is essential.
Prioritising product groups with high reuse potential
We welcome the recognition of textiles and furniture as priorities for the upcoming ESPR working plan. These product categories have a high reuse potential that can be unlocked through ambitious ecodesign legislation. We also advocate for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to remain on the priority list and for footwear to be included in the working plan.
Promoting transparency
We are dedicated to advocating for Digital Product Passports (DPP) that provide reuse operators with essential product information, ensuring effective and safe product repurposing. We also promote the inclusion of both environmental and social data aspects in the DPP.
Preventing the destruction of unsold goods
We will support measures to extend the ban on the destruction of unsold consumer products, especially in sectors like electronics, while ensuring potential exceptions to this ban remain at the minimum level. This would facilitate the reuse or repurposing of surplus goods rather than letting them go to waste.
With this renewed mandate, we are eager to collaborate with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that the environmental initiatives under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation also foster social impact and create job opportunities for communities across the EU.