Regulating the circular economy within the ecodesign directive: Progress so far, methodological challenges and outlook

Abstract

Policies related to the Circular Economy are currently being implemented intensively within the European Union. A central role is attributed to the Ecodesign Directive: since the publication of the Circular Economy Action Plan in December 2015, reinforced by the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, material efficiency requirements are being systematically investigated in the preparatory work preceding each Ecodesign Regulation. A systematic and updated review about the coverage of Circular Economy aspects (such as product durability, repairability, recyclability and spare parts availability) within Ecodesign Regulations is, to date, missing in literature. Within this framework, this paper firstly analyses the scope and the expected impacts of Ecodesign requirements on material efficiency aspects already in application at the European Union level. Secondly, it identifies a number or research priorities, in order to provide policymakers with tools such as standardised metrics on Circular Economy aspects, methods for the evaluation of environmental externalities at product level and models for the quantification of environmental and economic impacts stemming from Circular Economy requirements. Finally, the paper devises some regulatory approaches and areas for policy intervention in order to enable further and more ambitious Circular Economy objectives within the framework of the Ecodesign Directive.