We want an economy that respects the waste hierarchy: an economy that is primarily based on waste prevention, and where materials are permanently reused, recycled and only recovered for energy or disposed as measures of last resort. 

The EU and its Member States should set ambitious targets to use resources more efficiently and waste less. We believe therefore that it is vitally important to step up waste prevention and management strategies, and to be more ambitious in the development and implementation of ecodesign and energy labelling measures to increase the overall energy and resource efficiency of products. The potential in terms of increased growth and employment opportunities of the circular economy should be better taken account of in the coordination of the EU’s economic policy making.

5. We want a pact for consumers’ rights and protection, including a legal framework for collective redress. Artificial intelligence offers many opportunities, if it is mastered well. We will foster development and regulation of artificial intelligence that serves the citizens. It should be illegal to design a product or software program in a way that makes it artificially out-of-date or useless within a known time period (planned obsolescence). EU rules are needed to guarantee that products are designed to last longer, become easier to repair or to reuse. We will take measures against greenwashing, false and misleading environmental marketing claims. Consumers should have no doubts about the eco-friendliness of the products and services they buy. Neither should consumers be worried about the impact of recycled materials on their health. That is why we are calling for a Europe-wide framework to guarantee that toxic materials are kept out of the recycling stream.