By Sarah Collins - 2nd June 2008
Environment chief Stavros Dimas has announced that the commission is aiming to introduce “mandatory minimum standards” for environmentally harmful products before the summer break.
The Greek commissioner would not be drawn on what products would come under the remit of the so-called “action plan” on sustainable production and consumption, but did say that the EU will make a distinction between “energy-related products” and “energy-using products”.
The latter – which include electrical and electronic devices or heating equipment – are covered under a 2005 directive, which provides EU-wide rules for eco-design. That directive does not introduce directly binding requirements for specific products, however.
The definition of energy-related products is still being considered by the commission, he said.
He made the announcement at the launch of the EU’s Green Week in Brussels, where he admitted that the EU is still a long way from meeting its environmental objectives.
“Sometimes we need to take a step back and take a look at how far we are from a model of development that is sustainable,” he told journalists on Tuesday.
“Europe’s environmental footprint is one of the biggest on the planet. If the rest of the world used resources at the same rate as we do, we would need more than two earths.”
However, he defended the commission’s record, and said the intention is to “revamp” existing instruments to make it more attractive for businesses to save energy. Included in the revision will be the voluntary eco-label scheme, the eco-management and audit scheme and the publication of new guidelines for public bodies on how to buy the “greenest” goods available.
“I am convinced that in 10 years’ time environmental production standards will be taken for granted amongst consumers.
“Where the EU leads the rest of the world has a tendency to follow,” he added.
Green Week is taking place from 3 to 6 June at the commission’s Charlemagne buliding in Brussels under the slogan, ‘Only one Earth – don’t waste it’.
