Environmental protection measures in European countries

Integrated product policy (IPP) details:

Introduction to the EU series of environmental directives (WEEE/RoHS/EuP) (3)

In the first two issues, we This article introduces the background of the EU series of environmental protection directives, implementation timetable, regulated product groups, key points, unresolved issues and implementation status. In this issue, we focus on introducing you to other directives and issues related to environmental protection directives.

1. Regulations

1. Batteries Directive

This directive is called the Directive on Batteries and Accumulators Containing Certain Hazardous Substances (for Consumer Use). The new directive was adopted by the European Parliament on April 20, 2004. In the new directive, batteries and accumulators are no longer treated differently. The new directive will use all types of batteries and more strictly limit the content of nickel cadmium, mercury, lead and other metals, and stipulate that all batteries sold in Europe must be collected and recycled, with the purpose of ensuring Batteries will no longer be landfilled or incinerated, and heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, mercury, lead and lithium will be recovered and recycled as much as possible.

The new directive requires EU member states to register all manufacturers and importers of batteries sold domestically. And clarify the responsibilities of manufacturers. For example: manufacturers of various types of batteries must bear the costs related to recovery, processing and recycling; before putting products on the market, manufacturers should provide guarantees that they have the ability to perform battery recovery and recycling financial obligations, etc. In addition, the new directive also provides clearer regulations on battery packaging.

2． Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

On August 18, 2005, the EU's new packaging directive came into effect. This directive is an amendment to the packaging and packaging waste directive 94/62/EEC issued in 1994. The new directive sets new and more demanding targets for recovery and recycling. In addition, in order to promote the recycling and reuse of packaging waste, the European Commission has proposed proposals to the European Parliament and the Council on packaging labeling and establishing conformity assessment procedures for packaging.

3． New Chemical Regulations (Reach)

Chemicals are divided into two major categories within the EU’s management framework: existing chemicals (including all chemicals on the market before 1981); new chemicals (including Chemicals marketed after 1981). In order to unify the management of the two types of chemicals, enable manufacturers to assume responsibility for their products, and achieve fully coordinated policies at the EU level, the EU published the final proposal for new chemical regulations on October 29, 2003. Article Registration, Evaluation and Approval Measures (referred to as REACH). Once REACH is approved as a formal regulation, it will replace more than 40 existing regulations on chemical substances. It is expected that the REACH regulations will officially take effect in 2006.

The purpose of REACH is to establish a unified chemical monitoring system in the EU, complete the management of all chemicals by 2012, and establish three management and monitoring systems for chemicals in the EU market: registration, evaluation, and licensing. system. According to the REACH regulations, the EU will ask manufacturers or importers for all testing and testing information on chemical substances whose output or import volume exceeds 100 tons and which have a significant impact on environmental safety. The testing costs will be borne by the enterprise.

4． ISO 14062

After 2 years of formulation, the technical report (TR, Technical Report) of ISO14062 (Environmental Management-Integrating Environmental Factors into Product Design and Development) was published in November 2002.

The ISO14062 technical report is a document in the ISO14000 environmental management series of standards. The standard is formulated to guide organizations (including companies and enterprises) to integrate environmental factors in the design and development process of products (goods and services), balancing environment with product functions, performance, health and safety, price, quality, market, and laws and regulations The relationship between requirements and other factors is what we call environmental design (Eco-Design or DEF Design for environment). Under the framework provided by ISO14062, organizations can predict and solve problems in advance during the product design and development process, and avoid environmental impacts as early as possible in the design stage, so as not to lose opportunities for improvement after the product is launched. At the same time, such a design approach can enhance the organization's innovation capabilities and the environmental performance of the products and services it provides.

2. Others

1. Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility simply means that the company's stakeholders - governments, investors, business partners, corporate employees, consumers, communities and civil society organizations, etc. all influence (promote, constrain) (or restrict) the development of an enterprise. Whether or not these relationships can be well coordinated is a reflection of whether an enterprise can fulfill its social responsibilities. Internationally, with the active advocacy of non-governmental organizations such as labor organizations, consumer groups, human rights organizations and environmental protection organizations, the United Nations proposed the "Global Compact" for the business community in 1999, directly encouraging and promoting the "corporate social responsibility movement" " implementation.

So far, the Global Compact Action Plan has representatives from more than 30 countries, including China, and more than 200 well-known large companies participating. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established a Social Responsibility Advisory Group in 2002. In April 2004, the advisory group submitted a "Social Responsibility Report" to the ISO Technical Management Bureau (TMB) and released it to the world for comments. In June 2004, ISO decided to start the formulation of social responsibility.

In July 2002, the European Commission issued a notice on "Corporate Social Responsibility: The Contribution of Enterprises to Sustainable Development", which provided some specific plans to promote corporate social responsibility, which received positive response from European member states. . Now, more and more countries are realizing the importance of corporate social responsibility in achieving economic, social and environmental benefits at the same time. More and more companies are also realizing the importance of corporate social responsibility in improving corporate brands, increasing customer loyalty and motivating employees. , the role of increasing corporate reputation and the positive impact on society and the environment, and the role of sustainable development goals.

2． EU Waste Management

The EU throws away 1.3 billion tons of waste every year, of which 40 million tons are hazardous waste. 67% of this waste is disposed of by incineration or landfill, both of which will have devastating effects on the environment. The EU identified waste prevention and management as one of the EU's four top priorities in its Sixth Environmental Action Plan. The EU plans to reduce waste entering the "final disposal" stage by 20% from 2002 to 2010 and by 50% by 2050, with special emphasis on reducing hazardous waste.

Waste Management Legal Framework

Waste Management Laws and Regulations

Waste Management Framework

★Waste Framework Directive< /p>

★Hazardous Waste Directive

Directives for specific wastes

Disposal Directives for Waste Oil

★Titanium Dioxide Industrial Waste Directive< /p>

★Battery containing certain hazardous substances continues the Battery Directive

★Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

★Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polycholrinated terphenyls (PCT) disposal instructions

★Environmental protection instructions, specifically referring to the protection of soil, especially when sewage sludge is used to irrigate crops

★Production of waste and product residues Shipping Directive

★Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

★End-of-life Vehicles Directive

Handling Procedures and Equipment

★Hazardous Waste The Incineration Directive

★Waste Landfill Directive (Council Directive 99/31/EC);

★Waste Incineration Directive

Transport within the EU , export and import

★Supervision and control of import, export and waste transportation within the European *** Community

★Transportation of certain wastes to non-Economic Cooperation and Development Application regulations and procedures for member states of the organization

3. Integrated Product Policy (IPP)

In order to promote green products and sustainable development, the Fifth European Environmental Action Plan in 1992 proposed a product-oriented environmental policy, whose goal is to deal with the impact of products and services on Environmental impact and energy resource usage efficiency. Develop a framework to integrate existing EU policies on environment, health, industry, waste and chemicals.

The EU directives related to IPP include: Product Packaging and Waste Management Directive; Scrap Vehicle Recycling Directive; Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive (RoHS); Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) .

4.3R (Reduce consumption, reuse and recycle)

(1) Reduce consumption

Reducing resource consumption, also often called garbage prevention , that is, reducing consumption and discarding. Reducing consumption includes purchasing durable products and using products and packaging that are free of harmful substances wherever possible. Reducing consumption is actually based on preventing the generation of garbage, so reducing consumption is the best way to manage waste and is a long-term solution for environmental protection.

(2) Reuse

Reuse is also the best way to recycle. Reusing products through maintenance, donation or resale can reduce the generation of garbage. By reducing consumption and reusing, you can save natural resources, reduce toxic waste, and reduce costs.

(3) Recycling

Recycling is a series of activities, including collection, classification and processing. Through recycling, waste materials can be turned into valuable resources and become the main body that benefits the environment, economy and society.