Eurovent joins calls for EU circular economy support

HVACR trade association Eurovent has added its name to a joint statement recommending greater harmonisation of EU rules to support circular economic policies.

Alongside trade groups focused on electrical goods, Eurovent called for streamlined rules and greater enforcement if plans to increase trade in secondary raw materials and products are to be effective. 

The joint statement described the EU’s Circular Economy Act – expected to be introduced next year – as “a crucial and timely opportunity to accelerate Europe’s transition to a clean, competitive and resource-driven economy”. 

But a number of challenges to a successful transition remain, suggested the ten trade associations, primarily concerning fragmented rules across member states and a lack of competitiveness for used materials. 

The statement also called for a revision of current waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) collection targets. The EU currently generates more e-waste than any other region – 17.6kg per person in 2022 – but the associations said current targets were ‘unrealistic’.

Through its national associations, Eurovent represents over 1000 companies in the indoor climate, cooling and cold chain sector. 

It welcomed the Circular Economy Act’s plans for free movement of used materials, greater access to recyclates, lower feedstock costs, simpler e-waste rules and clear criteria for when products have reached their ‘end-of-life’ phase.

The statement’s signatories, which included APPliA – Home Appliance Europe and the European Committee of Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers, said a “level playing field” was still needed. 

“The circular economy transition, particularly across the EEE sector, faces major hurdles from complex regulations and market barriers,” it read. 

“Overlapping rules, high administrative burdens, and diverging national implementations stifle innovation and undermine competitiveness.” 

It called for “regulatory streamlining” to resolve these problems and the removal of “outdated” rules and administrative burdens. 

While the EU’s WEEE Directive requires producers and distributors to collect 65% of the EEE placed on the market in the three preceding years, few member states have met this target. 

The joint statement said the current methodologies for calculating collection targets were “not fit for purpose”, recommending revised, material-specific targets. 

Recommendations also included greater investment for material recovery technologies and harmonised standards for recycled WEEE materials to improve competition with new products.

Finally, the group said inconsistent enforcement of WEEE rules was harming compliant businesses, calling for more resources to national authorities and even an EU-wide enforcement body.