1. 18th European Ecoinnovation Forum – Barcelona 20-21 May 2015 OUTCOMES
EUEB Meeting
17 June 2015, Brussels
Silvia FerratiniDG ENVIRONMENT, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

2.  "Boosting competitiveness and innovation: The role of environmental labelling, management and information schemes"
For the first time a series of events from different initiatives with the aim to 'break silos' and address individual instruments in the broader SCP policy framework.
(first three statements of verification under the EU Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) pilot scheme and EMAS Awards delivered; Retail Forum)
More than 300 participants
One of the aims: provide input for policy making, in particular for the new circular economy package which includes a section on the role of labels.
Provided insights for the on-going evaluation of the EU Ecolabel 2

3. The Commission is preparing a new Policy Package on Circular Economy
Circular economy systems keep the added value in products for as long as possible and eliminate waste.
They keep resources within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life, so that they can be productively used again and again and hence create further value.
Source: COM (2014) 398 "Towards a circular economy"
The Commission is organizing a Circular Economy Conference in Brussels on 25 June 2015
A dedicated website for registration will open soon. For more information, visit:
Public consultation is taking place between May and August
New, more ambitious proposal by end 2015
Public consultation until 20 August

4. Areas for intervention
New Policy package on
Circular Economy
Areas for intervention
Specific focus on Consumers choices and environmental information for consumers and EU Ecolabel to foster the availability of "circular design" products and services
Extraction and production processes
Mining and industrial waste represent more than 50% of waste generated in the EU
Product design
Product design predetermines the longevity of the useful phase, and future re-use, recycling and recovery opportunities.
Distribution and consumption
Consumers choices impact the design and marketing of products. However, consumers face confusing information about products and services.
Key message: the life cycle approach in policy practise. Present it short and then HIGJHLIGHT the work on Consumers
In the current discussions on the Circular Economy, the communication to consumers of products environmental performances, and the use of the EU Ecolabel to foster the availability of "circular design" products and services to consumers are key aspects
Background info
Circular economy requires action at all stages of the life cycle of products: from the extraction of raw materials, through product design, production, distribution and consumption of goods, repair and re-use schemes, to waste management. All these stages are organically linked (for example, use of hazardous substances in products can affect their recycling potential), and improvements in terms of resource and energy efficiency can be made at all stages.
Waste
All waste management measures must aim at bringing materials and energy used back to the economy.

5. Outcomes relevant to the EU Ecolabel (1/3)
Outcomes relevant to the EU Ecolabel (1/3)
Participants at the conference agreed that a label must be credible (verified by a third party), transparent (enable comparison between different products or services), and clear (easy to understand).
Credibility would be further enhanced if the label were used by public authorities and if it covered as wide as possible a range of environmental impacts.
There was a call too for fewer labels overall: fragmentation and high number of labels and certification schemes generate confusion on the market.
Participants at the conference agreed that a label must be credible (verified by a third party), transparent (enable comparison between different products or services), and clear (easy to understand).
Credibility would be further enhanced if the label were used by public authorities and if it covered as wide as possible a range of environmental impacts.
There was a call too for fewer labels overall: fragmentation and high number of labels and certification schemes generate confusion on the market.
Unanimous call in favour of tougher rules to tackle misleading green advertising and to develop minimum requirements that all labels would have to adhere to.
There was widespread support for policymakers to prioritise high-impact products for labelling. The role of Consumers and Retailers in using labels was also discussed.

6. Outcomes relevant to the EU Ecolabel (2/3)
Outcomes relevant to the EU Ecolabel (2/3)
Unanimous call in favour of tougher rules to tackle misleading green advertising and to develop minimum requirements that all labels would have to adhere to.
There was widespread support for policymakers to prioritise high-impact products for labelling.
B2B labels are as important as B2C labels also because it can be difficult to reflect all issues in a single label on an end product

7. Outcomes relevant to the EU Ecolabel (3/3)
Outcomes relevant to the EU Ecolabel (3/3)
Retailers play a pivotal role (they can both monitor producers and help consumers understand labels).
In some cases, public commitments to sustainability by organisations could be an alternative to individual product labelling, but the same rules for credibility would apply. Many believe both product labelling and organisational commitments are necessary.
Consumers are starting to pay more attention to labels. Ecobels are facing many other competing forces (use of VIPs for marketing, peer pressures, etc.) that can be turned to advantages if appropriately used (i.e. resulting in dedicated communication campaigns).

8. Thank you for your attention!8