Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honor to be here today at the first meeting of the Ecodesign Forum. Thank you for your presence.
As the first European Commissioner with competitive circular economy in my portfolio, I want to emphasize the importance of the circular economy for the EUs competitiveness.
The world is changing rapidly, and the EU must change with it. Resources and critical raw materials are central to this new reality.
The Competitiveness Compass, recently adopted by the Commission, focuses on innovation, competitiveness, decarbonization, and economic security. Circularity fits all these pillars and reduces our dependence on third countries while supporting climate and environment.
We plan to propose a Circular Economy Act in 2026. However, we must take action now with existing tools.
The Ecodesign Forum plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), a cornerstone of our circular economy strategy.
The design of products is crucial to their lifecycle. The ESPR ensures that consumers can buy with confidence, knowing that products meet high circularity standards.
We must also improve market monitoring and surveillance to ensure our companies are not disadvantaged.
The ESPR will significantly advance our goal of a clean, decarbonized, and resource-efficient EU economy.
The lack of a real market for secondary raw materials is a key focus. The ESPR can help by setting minimum requirements for recycled material.
The EU has a strong track record with ecodesign and energy labels, and the ESPR aims to replicate this success on a larger scale.
Repairability and recyclability are central to the ESPR. A new feature is the Digital Product Passport, providing transparent sustainability information.
Green Public Procurement is another key component. With public spending of around EUR 1.8 trillion, mandatory rules can significantly boost demand for sustainable products.
I am also pleased to see that we are close to delivering another important novelty of the ESPR, namely preventing the destruction of unsold consumer goods.
Today, between 4 and 9% of all textile products are destroyed without ever being used. This is a waste of resources that we aim to address with a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear.
This is not a ban to annoy companies, but an attempt to fix a broken system of supply and demand.
In conclusion, your role in the implementation of ESPR is crucial. This shift requires engagement from experts, companies, and users.
I look forward to our collaboration to transform the European economy.
Thank you, and I wish you a productive meeting.