EU Sustainable Product Policy Tools at JRC

Question 1

JRC

Answer 1

Joint Research Center

Directorate of the European Commission.

Research to provide independent scientific advice and support to EU policy.

Question 2

Sustainable Product Policy Tools of the EU

Answer 2

• Ecolabel regulation (Type I)
• Green Public Procurement (GPP) communication
• Ecodesign Directive
• Energy Labelling Regulation

Question 3

Ecolabel Regulation

Answer 3

Development of criteria for the 10-20% products with best environmental performance (voluntary scheme).

Question 4

Green Public Procurement (GPP) Communication

Answer 4

Development of criteria for the greening of public procurement (voluntary scheme).

Question 5

Ecodesign Directive

Answer 5

Development of implementing measures.

Mandatory environmental minimum performance requirements.

Question 6

Energy Labelling Regulation

Answer 6

Development of energy classes for labelling. Mandatory scheme.

Question 7

Process of Sustainable Product Policy tools

Answer 7

• Phase 0: ad-hoc selection of product groups and specific tools with the target to reduce impacts at EU level.
• Pase 1: preparatory phase =
  
  • Techno-economic and environmental analysis of the product
  • Development of criteria proposal
• Pase 2: implementing phase =
  
  • Legislative proposal
  • Impact assessment

Question 8

How to assess the sustainability of a product?

Answer 8

• Assessment of the 3 dimensions of sustainability (at European level the focus is on environmental aspect).
• LCA

Question 9

Limitations of entirely LCA-based approach

Answer 9

• Market variety of products
• Lack of LCA data
• Evolving methods and associated uncertainty
• Assessment and verification procedures
• Resources and time constraints of the policy process

Question 10

Stakeholder engagement

Answer 10

• Technical and political interests
• Transparency and cooperation are essential
• Structured consultation process involving high-level working groups of experts

Question 11

Ecodesign and Energy Label

Characteristics and Focus

Answer 11

Characteristics:

• Mandatory
• Energy-related products
• Products

Focus:

• From energy-using to energy-related
• Traditionally on energy efficiency,but technological limits reached for a number of products
• Exploring possibility to cover other aspects

Question 12

Ecolabel and GPP

Characteristics and Focus

Answer 12

Characteristics:

• Voluntary tools
• Energy-related vs other products
• Products vs services

Focus:

• Broader scope in terms of products and requirements (they can also cover the social aspect)
• Energy efficiency and other aspects

Question 13

Circular economy

Answer 13

Economic system aimed at minimising waste and making the most of resources.

Slide 62

Question 14

Material Efficiency

Answer 14

• Better use of resources along the life cycle
• Limitation of waste and impacts
• Fulfilment of functions

Question 15

Assessment of material efficiency of products

Answer 15

Slide 67

• LCA for analysis of scenarios, design options, critical aspects and trade-offs
• Product-by-product

Question 16

Assessment of material efficiency of products

Tasks

Answer 16

• Task 1: product group definition
• Task 2: identification of material efficiency hotspots
• Task 3: definition of possible measures to improve material efficiency

Question 17

Real impact of products

Answer 17

I = P x A x T

I = Impact at global level of energy consumption, emissions, etc.

P = Population

A = Affluence (consumption / person) –> what the population consumes

T = Technology (impacts / product) –> impact of what is produced/consumed

Question 18

Real impact of products

If the population P increases, how can we control the impact I?

Answer 18

• More efficient production –> T (technology) production side (eco-efficiency)
• User behavior change –> A (affluence, consumption side)

The physical limit is the eco-efficiency and effective use of resources