- Partners :
Minister for Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship
Romania
Vice-President of the European Commission
Vice-President of the European Parliament
Director General
DG Environment
European Commission
Director
Waste Management,
Chemicals Policy and
Environmental Technology
Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism
Austria
Member (EPP)
Committee INTA
European Parliament
Head of
Global Product Safety
and Regulatory Affairs
Covestro
Director General,
The European Consumer Organisation
(BEUC)
Vice-President for
Sustainable Development
Saint-Gobain
There is currently no one-size-fits-all framework to address circular economy aspects of products groups with a high circular economy potential. However, there are examples of initiatives at EU and Member State level that address circular economy considerations for some product groups. What can be learned from these experiences?
For high quality recycling, it is essential to have information on content of material streams. There could be a role for new digital tools in improving traceability of materials. Where do we stand and what are the options in the medium and long term ?
There is a need to optimise product lifetime in function of material efficiency and consumers expectations. Discarded products should be resued and repaired as much as possible. The repair sector in the EU stands to gain from this transition. New business models move away from individual ownership of products to providing access to their services on a need basis. How can we support and accelerate all these developments? Is further action at EU or national level required and, if so, in what way?
Many consumers wish to support the transition to a circular economy, but need an adequate legal framework and the right information to make the right decisions. This information would need to take account of the full product life cycle and be reliable. False green claims must be countered so that producers that really offer more durable, repairable, sustainable products are rewarded. Where, when and how should this information be made available, and by whom? Is further action EU or national level required and, if so, in what way?
Remanufacturing offers potential to keep products in the loop by restoring their functionality and updating them to keep up with product innovation. Europe has a strong position in this area and there is large potential in terms of growth and jobs. How can this sector be fully enabled to fulfil the key role it has to play in the circular economy?
Digitalisation and the transition to a circular economy are two megatrends with clear potential for synergies, but do we unlock this potential? With the onset of the Internet of things and other digital developments, more and more products and devices will be connected. Can hardware and software stay compatible and upgradeable to guarantee long product lifetimes and cybersecurity?
Deputy Director General
DG GROW
European Commission
Member (EPP)
Committee ECON
European Parliament
Head of
Commercial Innovation
Lenzing Group
Vice-President for Connected Infrastructures,
Cities and Digital Products
at Minsait by INDRA
Vice-President of
Smart Cities at AMETIC
Director EU Affairs
Royal DSM
Director of EU Policy
European Environment Bureau (EEB)
Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
European Commission
Brussels - 26 September 2018
Charlemagne Building
circularbusinessconference@b-bridge.eu
Organising Entity
Registered office: 205 Rue Belliard
1040 Brussels, Belgium
http://www.b-bridge.eu
