Buyers in the EU should be able to better see whether a product is sustainable and how easy it can be repaired. Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU countries agreed on this on Wednesday night in Brussels. “I am particularly pleased that in the future it will be impossible to claim that a product has a positive, neutral or reducing effect on climate-damaging gases in the environment. This bans statements like “climate neutral” that are based on CO2 compensation,” said Green Party politician Anna Cavazzini. According to the Council of EU countries, environmental certificates must in future meet certain requirements.
In addition, consumers should receive more and better information about how durable a product is and whether it can be repaired. For example, dealers must, if possible, provide a repair index, such as how long spare parts will be available and at what price.
In this way, buyers should be able to make informed decisions and thus shop more sustainably, it was said. The European Parliament and the EU states still have to approve the agreement. But that is considered a formality. (dpa)