MEPs in plenary adopted a report prepared by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on revising the EU’s ecodesign framework for sustainable products, by 473 votes in favour, 110 against and 69 abstentions.

In their negotiating mandate, MEPs strengthen the measures proposed by the Commission to ensure longer product lifespans and better-informed consumers.

The lifetime of a product should not be limited through design features. Software updates, consumables (e.g. ink cartridges, light bulbs, coffee pads), spare parts and accessories must also be available for an appropriate period. A new “product passport” containing accurate and up to date information would be set up to increase transparency and enable consumers to make informed purchasing choices.

The text asks the Commission to prioritise the setting of sustainability requirements for a number of product groups in the upcoming ecodesign measures, such as iron, steel, aluminium, textiles,…