EuroCommerce, the body which represents the retail and wholesale sector in Europe, has said that strong consumer engagement is driving the green and digital transformation in Europe.
On 13 November 2020, the European Commission adopted the new consumer agenda - an updated overall strategic framework of the EU consumer policy.
Speaking at the launch, EuroCommerce director general, Christian Verschueren, said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the digital transition, making the Commission’s new agenda very timely.
"Retailers help by providing consumers with even more ways of making sustainable choices and by asking suppliers for more sustainable, circular, and eco-designed products.”
EuroCommerce emphasised the need for a stable and predictable business and policy climate so that retailers can innovate and respond quickly to changes in consumer behaviour and expectations.
Legislators need to be careful not to create rigid legal obligations that increase costs and administrative burdens, with only limited benefits, it added.
Sustainability needs to be incorporated into the design of products to make it attractive for consumers.
The 'Primary Vehicle'
EuroCommerce described the Commission's Ecodesign Directive the 'primary vehicle' for achieving sustainability targets across the continent as it helped in promoting better energy consumption, repairability, and recyclability.
Furthermore, the trade body feels that the introduction of a ‘right to repair’ may not fundamentally change consumer behaviour, and a complete overhaul of the General Product Safety Directive is not necessary.
It has welcomed the Commission’s intention to focus on unsafe products from third countries entering the EU market.
It added that effective enforcement, harmonised interpretation, and implementation of the directive will be the most effective means of tackling dangerous products and keeping EU consumers safe.
Verschueren explained, “As vice-president Jourova and Commissioner Reynders said, consumers will be crucial for the economic recovery. But, instead of revising the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive again, its better implementation and enforcement will be key to protecting consumers and building trust.”
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
