Policy Updates

<p>GPP is a voluntary instrument that can help stimulate a critical mass of demand for more sustainable goods and services. It is mainly used by public authorities but also finds applications in the private sector because of the verifiable criteria for products.</p>

<p>In 2012 it was decided to outsource some of the activities. The Orgalime partnership received the order for collecting and assembling an overview of overall European developments. The latest update is available.</p>

<p>The Regulation 765/2008 obliges the Member States to inform the European Commission and the other Member States about the national implementation, the review of past and the announcement of the annual market surveillance activities.</p>

<p>The impression is that both institutions would not favour additional European requirements in the field of buildings. This is motivated by the current political climate with many Member States questioning the European requirements and obligations in many areas.</p>

<p>This note by Orgalime summarizes the content of the working plan and includes new aspects in the implementation of the Ecodesign framework and the adoption procedure.</p>

<p>The consultancy VHK has renovated its www.vhk.nl website emphasising its Ecodesign-related research.</p>

<p>The application of the 2015/1535/EU (previously Directive 98/34/EC Directive) has also been extended to new standardisation work undertaken by National Standard Bodies (AENOR, AFNOR, DIN, UNI…) at national level. These notifications are registered centrally by the CEN Management Centre and a "Monthly Notifications Register" is circulated in English to the CEN Members and the European Commission. The National Standard Body generally provides the relevant associations with a copy of these updates.</p>

<p>The Commission received 239 contributions on its public consultation on market surveillance. These are presented as a tabled overview and a summary in a 110-page document.</p>

<p>The Commission received 153 contributions on its public consultation on market surveillance. These are presented as a tabled overview and a summary in a 17-page document with annexes.</p>

<p>Within DG Energy the responsibilities of the Policy Officers that have recently started have been allocated. The first months will be spent on getting familiar with their files.</p>

<p>The Chinese sister association CRAA ha informed us about this conference. CRAA is sponsoring it and would like us to communicate the request for abstracts. The deadline for abstracts is 1 March 2017.</p>

<p>The Commission is consulting stakeholders on the application of application Directive 85/374/EEC on liability for defective products. This directive is mainly applied to consumer goods but is also applied to industrial products.</p>