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EU countries blocking agreement on ecodesign law amid dispute over unsold textiles
(EurActiv, 10 May 2023) everal EU countries are blocking agreement on a new law to promote sustainable product design in an unfolding dispute over whether to include a ban on destroying unsold textiles.
Sweden, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, removed this ban from the draft text due to be signed off by member states ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament, leading to more ambitious countries blocking the agreement.
“What stands out for us is that destroying consumer products should not be possible within the European economy, which strives to be circular,” one EU diplomat told EURACTIV.
“This is unacceptable for a large group of countries, who are highly motivated to block a text without this ban,” the diplomat added.
According to several diplomatic sources, this group of countries includes Germany, France, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium, making it big enough to form a blocking minority and prevent agreement on the law until the ban is reinstated.
EU country representatives met on Wednesday (10 May) to discuss the draft law but while their discussions touched on reinstating the ban, they were unable to find agreement.
The Swedish presidency will now have to continue work on an agreement ahead of the next meeting of EU country representatives on Friday (12 May).
EurActiv, 10 May 2023: EU countries blocking agreement on ecodesign law amid dispute over unsold textiles
