EU proposes eco-product rules

Not content with the industrial, aviation and transportation sectors, European officials are further implementing more green consciousness within consumers and product producers through a new legislative package of proposals launched today that aims towards a more sustainable retail and product manufacturing/consumption environment.

"Our actions as consumers and producers worldwide are major forces behind climate change and the destruction of nature. The time has come for us to change the type of products we buy and transform our methods of production. This is why the European Commission is putting forward proposals to encourage a switch to energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products and production," says EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

Some of the initiatives include mandatory labeling as well as voluntary eco-labeling; incentives such as green product procurement practices; compulsory minimum requirements and voluntary benchmarks for energy-using products; promoting resource efficiency and eco-innovation; promoting sustainable products worldwide; and other energy-efficient and eco-product initiatives within the retail and manufacturing sectors.

Will this package of legislation benefit or hinder chemical companies dealing with the European consumer markets? I guess we have to stay tune to find out more about it in the coming weeks and months ahead.

By the way, there is a nice video from TVLink Europe about this proposal but unfortunately I was unable to upload it. You can see it at this site instead.