How does the EU Green Deal impact the home appliance industry?

The APPLiA team met a group of business students from the Karel de Grote-Hogeschool of Antwerp and the BFH Wirtschaft of Bern to answer their questions on the impact of European policy on the sector. 

What are microplastics? Why aren’t all batteries readily removable by consumers? What role do digital solutions have to play in achieving the green transition? Why is the energy label important? The APPLiA team met a group of business students from the Karel de Grote-Hogeschool of Antwerpand the BFH Wirtschaft of Bern to answer their questions on the impact of European policy on the sector. 

The Environment team addressed various issues. From the reason why all batteries in all appliances aren’t readily removable by consumers, to the importance of carefully choosing the materials in packaging and allocating the right space to ensure the safety of products, but also how proper e-waste disposal helps to keep critical materials in the loop, leading to less waste being produced while reducing carbon emissions. Another point the students found particularly intriguing was that of microplastics. What they are and their consequences on the environment, and our health. 

The Digital and Competitiveness team then tackled both digital and trade policy. Regarding trade, the need for a legislative proposal on downstream products to prevent carbon leakage, a.k.a CBAM, was presented. This was followed by a back-and-forth discussion on the issue of how cyber-secure our home appliances truly are, especially when it comes to protecting users' data through legislation. 

The Energy team concluded the day by highlighting the importance of the European Commission’s flagship Fit for 55 package objectives, and the EU energy label, in terms of Europe establishing its own sustainable energy system. The continued commitment of the industry to advance the sustainability of products and thus resource efficiency, was cited as pivotal to achieving the EU’s set climate target of cutting emissions by at least 55% as part of the package. Finally, how the energy label benefits consumers' pockets, while driving the most innovative, energy-efficient solutions for the industry was uncovered.

Useful Contacts

Environment Team 

Korrina Hegarty, APPLiA Environment Policy Director - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Naomi Marc, APPLiA Environment Policy Manager - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Franziska Decker, APPLiA Environment Policy Officer - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Energy Team 

Matteo Rambaldi, APPLiA Energy Policy Director - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Giulia Zilla, APPLiA Energy Policy Manager - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Digital and Competitiveness Team 

Michal Zakrzewski, APPLiA Digital & Competitiveness Policy Director - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alvaro Vilas, APPLiA Digital & Competitiveness Policy Officer - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Communications Team 

Federica Lavoro, APPLiA Communication Manager - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

John Byrne, APPLiA Communication Officer - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.