Archives: Position Papers

The European Parliament and the Council have adopted positions aiming to prohibit the sale of products classified as corrosive or eye-irritating (H318, H319, H317) via refill devices. Those classifications are very common on detergents, particularly on laundry detergents, fabric softeners, vinegars, dishwashing liquids, floor cleaners, and black soap. This position alerted many of our members, partners, and stakeholders. In particular, the sectoral organisations at EU and French level, A.I.S.E (International Association for Soaps, Detergents, and Maintenance Products) and FHER (Fédération Hygiène & Entretien Responsable), agree that expanding the ban on refill sales to include products classified as eye hazards would significantly curtail the option for detergents and have adverse effects on environmental objectives.

International competition demands a new model of fair economic performance that supports the European social model. To avoid the decline of the European economy, we must prioritise companies that contribute to the common good, making them the keystones of an economy that is more focused on environmental and social impact. Time has come for a new economy in which positive impact is no longer seen as a burden but as an asset for European businesses. This is the only way to restore both the sovereignty and the resilience of the European Union, while ensuring businesses meet the critical challenges of our time.

Reusable packaging is in general a more sustainable choice compared to single-use packaging. Research shows that when scaled effectively, reuse systems have (1) a lower carbon impact per use, (2) higher resource efficiency per gram, and (3) lower likelihood of contributing to mismanaged waste such as littering. It is therefore correctly identified by leading organisations such as WWF and Ellen Macarthur Foundation as critical to addressing the current environmental crisis. This is also confirmed by leading coalitions of private sector economic operators, for example the Global Commitment 2022 endorsed by more than 500 organisations (>350 companies) and the Plastic Pacts signed up in many European countries.

The transition to reuse systems offers economic opportunities for European businesses by reducing our dependence on global supply chains while supporting local economies and contributing to sustainable economic growth. Among some of the positive benefits of reuse systems are: lower inventory costs, energy savings, reduced price sensitivity to rising resource costs, and diminished waste management costs.

In this paper, we propose concrete legislative measures that advance the working of EPR, mak- ing it an effective environmental tool that helps to achieve reduction, prevention, separate col- lection and closed-loop recycling targets for a broad range of product categories (at the least packaging, textiles and electronic products). Relying solely on EPR will not be adequate in mini- mizing the environmental impact of products throughout their entire life cycle. However, when complemented by an appropriate legislative framework, EPR can unlock its full potential.