EU product requirements and standards are increasingly used to integrate sustainability and environmental policy objectives. Those standards impact global value chains as products placed on the EU market must comply.  For example, the Commission’s Batteries Regulation  , adopted in July 2023, has the specific objectives of reducing environmental, climate and social impacts throughout all stages of the battery life cycle.  

The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which entered into force on 18 July 2024, is described as “the cornerstone of the Commission’s approach to more environmentally sustainable and circular products.” It builds on the existing Ecodesign Directive which currently only addresses energy-related products.

The EU also has a Circular Economy Action plan. In line with the policy objectives described, a number of new measures have been introduced and/or are under discussion, including rules on a right to repair, packaging and waste and green claims.