Updates

MEPs in the European Parliament approved several energy and environment files in Strasbourg before the upcoming elections in June. The legislation, which was already agreed upon in negotiations with member states, now just needs final approval from the EU Council before becoming law.

1. Right to repair
2. Ecodesign
3. Air Quality
4. Packaging waste
5. Due diligence
6. Energy Charter Treaty
7. Net-zero industry act
8. Fiscal rules

Source: https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/04/26/eu-policy-roundup-key-energy-and-environment-votes-in-parliament

The European Commission adopted a Communication outlining criteria and principles for managing harmful chemicals in the EU. The Communication focuses on determining which uses of these chemicals are essential and which ones can be phased out to protect people and the environment.

Essentially, the goal is to stop using the most harmful chemicals in non-essential ways, like in products or processes where safer options exist. However, for uses that are really important for things like health, safety, or keeping society function, there will be more time to find safer alternatives.

The Communication also lays out some important terms and principles.

In a recent decision, the General Court of the European Union (EU) addressed a critical question: Does evidence of booking, advertising, and selling services within the EU constitute genuine use of a registered trademark, even if the actual service provision occurs abroad? The case, T-768/20 (Standard International Management LLC v EUIPO), sheds light on the intersection of trademark law, advertising, and cross-border services.

Background

Standard International Management LLC (SIM), a hotel operator, owns the EU logo mark “The Standard,” registered in 2011. However, the hotels operating under this brand are all based in the United States. Asia Standard Management

UK joins a collective effort towards bolstering product security standards by applying the new product safety requirements for connected products, effective as of 29th April 2024. These regulatory changes align with the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act.

The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 (PTSI) outlines the specific security measures applicable to "connectable products," consolidating previously voluntary cybersecurity practices under the Code of Practice for Consumer IoT Security.

All businesses involved in the supply chain of these connected products must ensure compliance with the legislation, whether they function as manufacturers, importers, or distributors.

Products within the scope of the

Intro: AliExpress is an online platform where many manufacturers, typically based in China, offer their products and manufacturing services. The platform is popular with trading companies and online sellers. It is common that the products you buy on Amazon, Wish, or your local e-commerce platform are originally sourced from AliExpress. 

AliExpress was designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EU's Digital Services Act and is now facing formal proceedings for potential breaches of the DSA. The Commission is investigating areas such as content moderation, transparency of advertising, and the traceability of traders. If proven, these failures

The Digital Product Passport (DPP), introduced as part of the new EU regulatory frameworks for ecodesign and batteries, is a groundbreaking tool. Its purpose? To revolutionise the way we collect and share product-related data among supply chain actors. As the first of its kind globally, the DPP aims to bridge existing information gaps for products and components throughout global supply chains. But what makes it truly transformative? Its role as a key enabler for circular business models.

Batteries are the first product group for which the use of a DPP will be a legal requirement as of 2027 ( See the

The European Union is set to implement three key pieces of legislation aimed at encouraging more sustainable product design and extending product lifespans with a focus on energy-intensive products initially.

The Ecodesign Regulation, Repair of Goods Directive, and Empowering Consumers Directive are all part of the EU's broader Green Deal initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The Ecodesign Regulation focuses on product development and manufacturing, setting new requirements for endurance, reusability, repairability, and energy and resource efficiency. The Empowering Consumers Directive places information obligations on sellers to help consumers make sustainable purchase decisions and avoid greenwashing claims. On the

Germany has filed a formal objection to the toy safety standard EN 71-1 due to concerns raised after a child sustained a significant finger injury while playing with a three-wheeled ride-on toy. This incident has highlighted safety deficiencies within the current standards, prompting the need for urgent revisions to ensure toy safety.

Upon closer inspection, this ride-on toy, classified under the Toy Safety Directive (Directive 2009/48/EC) and EN 71-1, revealed several danger points that demand immediate attention. 

Identified Danger Points:

1. Crush Risk: The design flaw in the wheel spokes and the gap between the wheel fork

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) has been approved by European parliamentarians and the Council, bringing new cybersecurity requirements to protect digital products in the EU from cyber threats. The act introduces mandatory cybersecurity obligations for the design, development, production, and sale of hardware and software products. Manufacturers will be responsible for meeting these obligations, including providing cybersecurity risk assessments and cooperating with authorities. The act also includes transparency obligations for consumers and requirements for manufacturers to ensure the ongoing security of their products. The CRA will complement existing cybersecurity legislation and will apply three years after it becomes law. European

EU negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on a bill that promotes the repair sector and reduces waste by making product repairs more accessible and cost-effective. The agreement includes measures such as an obligation for manufacturers to repair common household products, informing consumers about a manufacturer's duty to repair, options for consumers to borrow a device or opt for a refurbished unit while their product is being repaired, and free access to indicative repair prices. The agreement also requires manufacturers to make spare parts and tools available at a reasonable price and prohibits them from obstructing repairs. Additionally, an online

If you sell non-food products in the EU and Northern Ireland, you are impacted by GPSR new compliance requirements that you need to be aware of to avoid potential consequences.

Although the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR) comes into effect on December 13, 2024, by staying informed and proactively addressing the requirements, sellers can ensure a seamless transition and continue thriving in the ever-changing landscape of e-commerce.

While GPSR does not apply in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), it does apply to sales in Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Protocol. This means that all Amazon

The ECHA CHEM platform aims to provide comprehensive and reliable information on chemical substances. Developed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), ECHA CHEM allows the Agency to better handle the growing diversity and quantity of data, while taking advantage of technological advancements and it is a significant step towards promoting transparency and accessibility in the chemical industry.

What is ECHA CHEM bringing to the industry?

• a versatile, stable, user-friendly system,
• comprehensive Data Access,
• centralized Information hub comprising, to date, 360 000+ chemicals,
• information from 100,000+ REACH registrations in the first version,
• the database is set to expand with the

In November 2023, the European Parliament took an important step by adopting a new directive called the "Right to Repair." This directive aims to change how consumers make choices, reduce harm to the environment, and encourage sustainable product consumption. Here are the highlights of this directive:

1. Overwhelming Support: The European Parliament gave strong support to the "Right to Repair" directive, with 590 members voting in favor, only 15 against, and 15 abstentions. The directive was first proposed by the European Commission in March of the same year and focuses on making manufacturers ensure that their products can be repaired