In an effort to support circular business models and to strengthen the position of consumers to facilitate the green transition, the European Commission has tabled a package of proposals to deliver the European Green Deal, thanks to which sustainable products will become an EU standard.

The package of proposals requires greater circularity, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness from most physical goods on the EU market. The proposal also includes a strategy focused on textiles. After food, housing and mobility, the European consumption of textiles has the fourth biggest impact on the environment and climate change. The aim is to enhance their life, repairability, reusability and recyclability, and also to make sure that human rights are respected during their production.

The proposal focused on the internal market is supposed to introduce a regulatory framework for achievement of sustainability and climate targets also in the built-up environment. Buildings are responsible for approximately 50 % of the extraction of resources and their consumption, and for more than 30 % of the total waste generated in the EU annually. Moreover, they are responsible for 40 % of energy consumption in the EU and 36 % of greenhouse gas emissions related to energy.

According to the new rules, during the green transition consumers should be better informed about the sustainability of products and protected against green washing.