How will the EU’s new green ‘circular economy’ plans affect consumers?

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Setting out the requirement for the plan, the European Commission said "the collision of major crises and economic shocks in recent years has impacted every part of the EU’s economy and society". The commission outlined how sustainability can help reduce demands for energy and promote better working practices, while the shift to a circular economy for goods would reduce environmental impacts and help ensure manufacturers are producing well-made products that last rather than churning out disposable items which are cheap to make, but take a heavy toll on the environment and the economy in the long term. This is how we bring balance back in our relationship with nature and reduce our vulnerability to disruptions in global supply chains.” In a statement, the Commission said the plan "sets new requirements to make products more durable, reliable, reusable, upgradable, reparable, easier to maintain, refurbish and recycle, and energy and resource efficient". Rupert Bellinghausen, a partner at law firm Linklaters, said: "The proposal of a ‘safety net’ of rules and obligations for almost all physical products and the inclusion of economic operators all the way to online market places and search engines provides for a change that has the potential to fundamentally affect how products are manufactured and circulated in the EU.