The action plan is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal. With measures along the entire life cycle of products, the new Action Plan focuses on the design and production for a circular economy. The measures presented will focus on the following aspects:

• products placed on the EU market should be designed to last longer, are easier to reuse, repair and recycle, and single-use will be restricted

• consumers will be empowered to make environmentally sustainable choices

• a focus will be set on the sectors that use the most resources and where the potential for circularity is high, e.g. electronics and ICT, batteries and vehicles

• avoiding waste altogether and transforming it into high-quality secondary resources.

Research and innovation is mentiones in the communication as a cross cutting action. Funding is expected from the European Regional Development Fund, through smart specialisation, LIFE and Horizon Europe. According to the paper, R&I will contribute to the action plan by

• developing indicators and data, novel materials and products, substitution and elimination of hazardous substances, circular business models, and new production and recycling technologies.

• Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions can in addition support development of skills, training and mobility of researchers in this area.

• The European Institute of Innovation and Technology will coordinate innovation initiatives on circular economy in collaboration with universities, research organisations, industry and SME’s within the Knowledge and Innovation Communities.

For more information:

Communication 'A new Circular Economy Action Plan For a cleaner and more competitive Europe'

EU Circular Economy Action Plan website

EC Press Release

Original source: https://era.gv.at/object/news/5212