Sustainable Manufacturing
Export subsidies are a ‘red line’ in EU carbon tariff negotiations, EU official says
The European Commission insists that exports from EU sectors covered by the bloc’s proposed EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) should not be subsidised, despite calls from energy-intensive industries and some lawmakers to include export rebates.
MEPs try to gain first-mover advantage on right to repair
EU lawmakers want to stay ahead of the game on the right to repair, preparing a motion to lobby on the European Commission’s upcoming proposal and overall legislative framework. The European Commission committed to putting forth a legislative proposal on...
Academic: ‘Mandatory EU labelling is the only way to fight proliferation of ecolabels’
The European Commission's upcoming sustainable product initiative should seek to clean the market for ecolabels and impose an EU-wide standard based on lifecycle assessment, says Professor Finkbeiner. However, "I doubt that the EU Commission will be brave enough to put out a mandatory label," he told EURACTIV in an interview.
EU to tackle ‘green claims’ with unified product lifecycle methodology
The European Commission is preparing to table a proposal on 30 March that will force companies to substantiate their environmental claims, using an EU-wide methodology that has been in the making for nearly ten years.
EU’s green products initiative to emulate eco-design, battery rules
The EU Sustainable Products Initiative, set to be adopted on 30 March, will draw inspiration from the successful Eco-design Directive and lessons learnt from the Batteries Regulation presented one year ago.
EU plans ‘digital product passport’ to boost circular economy
The European Commission plans to introduce a "digital product passport" early next year that would contain information about the composition of goods on the European market to help boost their chances of being reused and recycled.
Fashion brands at the test of setting sustainable standards
Consumers' craving for ever-increasing sustainable products is leaving its mark on the textile industry, creating a shift toward a 'greener' manufacturing process that requires new ways to assess its impact on the environment. VideoPromoted content
Aluminium makes cars lighter AND fully and economically recyclable!
Today, approximately 95% of the aluminium contained in an End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) is recycled into new aluminium products.
More effort needed to meet Europe’s ambition for zero pollution chemicals
More needs to be done by legislators and industry to reach Europe’s ambition of safe and sustainable chemicals, laid out in the chemicals strategy in October, according to the head of the European Chemical Agency (ECHA).
Recover today, lead for 2030: A future-fit industrial strategy for Europe
The current political debate on industrial policy lacks an honest acknowledgement of how much is already decided – from EU recovery budgets to the 2030 climate targets, write Sandrine Dixson-Declève and Janez Potočnik. Sandrine Dixson-Declève is the president of The...
New EU reporting requirements will force firms to ‘get serious’
The European Commission will force companies to "get serious" about due diligence and non-financial reporting as it prepares to table key legislation in the coming months.
Half a million people can’t be ignored – it is time for the EU to listen
Momentum is growing among policymakers, civil society and the public in the call to hold businesses accountable for their impacts on human rights and the environment through binding EU laws. Now eyes are on the European Commission to follow through with tangible and effective legislation, writes Jill McArdle.
EU court rules out unjustified use of dangerous chemicals in paint
The EU illegally allowed dangerous lead substances to be sold in paints despite safer options being available, the European Court of Justice said in a ruling on Thursday (25 February).
EU should review approval of plastics with toxic softener DEHP – top court adviser
The European Commission should review a decision to let companies use recycled plastics containing DEHP, a toxic additive, since it failed to properly consider associated health risks, an adviser to the EU's top court said on Thursday (25 February).
Soft drinks industry aims for 100% recycled or renewable plastic by 2030
European soft drink makers unveiled their new vision for 2030 on Monday (22 February), announcing plans to reach 100% recycled or renewable materials in plastic bottles by the end of the decade.
Hope for a new settlement between companies, people and the environment in the EU
A proposed due diligence law gives the EU the chance to reshape the relationship between corporations, people and the planet, writes Richard Gardiner.
Brussels approves €2.9 billion investment into battery innovation
Twelve EU countries will jointly invest almost three billion euros into innovation in battery cell technology for electric vehicles and energy storage, cementing the EU as a “global hotspot” for battery innovation, the European Commission announced on Tuesday (26 January).
EU lawmakers call for targets to reduce raw material use
Lawmakers in the European Parliament's environment committee will call for legally-binding targets to reduce raw material use in a report due to be voted on this week.
Slovakia struggles to keep pace with rapidly transforming car sector
In at least one global economic ranking, Slovakia consistently occupies first place - car production per capita. The sector accounts for 13% of Slovakia’s GDP, almost 50% of its industrial production, and 46% of the country’s exports, but this reliance is also fraught with risks, particularly in times of growing digitisation and green ambitions.
20% of UK chemicals registrations face revocation after Brexit
Around 20% of registrations from UK-based companies to the European Union's REACH chemicals database have not been transferred to EU companies and will be revoked after 31 March 2021, according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
UK chemicals industry faces £1 billion bill to build post-Brexit database
The UK is facing a £1 billion bill to replicate the EU’s chemical database after the government opted to leave the bloc's REACH system on 31 December.
Recyclers fret as EU plastic waste export ban comes into force
New EU rules came into force on 1 January, prohibiting the shipment of unsorted plastic waste to foreign countries. Although the move will increase pressure on Europe to recycle, activists say the ban is likely to increase landfilling and waste burning inside the Union.OpinionPromoted content
The goal is clear, let’s discuss the how
Moving to a sustainable and circular economy is the goal of decision makers, civil society and forward-looking companies like Covestro, but how do we get there? Here, Lynette Chung, Chief Sustainability Officer at Covestro, discusses what sustainability means to the...