The Circular Economy and product policy
Kautto, Petrus; Kalimo, Harri; Salo, Hanna; Heinonen, Tero; Lifset, Reid; Mateo, Eleanor; Nissinen, Ari; Leskinen, Paula; Miettinen, Mirella; Turunen, Topi; Jukka, Antti (2021-06-15)
Kautto, Petrus
Kalimo, Harri
Salo, Hanna
Heinonen, Tero
Lifset, Reid
Mateo, Eleanor
Nissinen, Ari
Leskinen, Paula
Miettinen, Mirella
Turunen, Topi
Jukka, Antti
Prime Minister's Office
15.06.2021
Julkaisusarja:
Publications of the Government's analysis, assessment and research activities 2021:47This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-283-1Tiivistelmä
The aim of the ‘Circular Economy and Product Policy’ project was to explore how the objectives of a sustainable circular economy can be integrated into environmental product policy. Building on interviews and workshops with international and Finnish experts, the multidisciplinary project identified and examined in detail four areas of product policy in the rapidly evolving regulatory environment of the European Union: 1) the Ecodesign Directive, 2) extended producer responsibility (EPR), 3) product service systems (PSSs), and 4) environmental product claims.
The review of the policy instruments in, e.g., the workshops showed that there is still room for improvement in existing product policy instruments, yet also a clear need for new instruments. In addition to recommendations on individual policy instruments, the project proposes cross-cutting measures: more systematic ex-post evaluations of the impacts of policy instruments, and attention to the coherence of the numerous and varied instruments, national policies, information systems, and environmental impacts. The circular economy is only a means to an end; environmental and other sustainability considerations must remain at the heart of product policy.
The review of the policy instruments in, e.g., the workshops showed that there is still room for improvement in existing product policy instruments, yet also a clear need for new instruments. In addition to recommendations on individual policy instruments, the project proposes cross-cutting measures: more systematic ex-post evaluations of the impacts of policy instruments, and attention to the coherence of the numerous and varied instruments, national policies, information systems, and environmental impacts. The circular economy is only a means to an end; environmental and other sustainability considerations must remain at the heart of product policy.
Kuvaus
This publication is part of the implementation of the Government Plan for Analysis, Assessment and Research (tietokayttoon.fi). The content is the responsibility of the producers of the information and does not necessarily represent the view of the Government.