Activities of Andreas SCHWAB related to 2022/0092(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Empowering consumers for the green transition (debate)
Amendments (44)
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In order to deter traders from deceiving consumers as regards the environmental or social impact, durability or reparability of their products, including through the overall presentation of the products, Article 6(1) of Directive 2005/29/EC should be amended by adding the environmental or social impact, durdurability, reusability, recyclability and reparability of the product to the list of the main characteristics of the product in respect of which the trader’s practices can be considered misleading, following a case-by-case assessment. Information provided by traders on the social sustainability of products, such as working conditions, charity contributions or animal welfare, should not mislead consumers either.
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC should also be amended to prohibit making generic environmental claims without recognised excellent environmental performance which is relevant to the claim. Examples of such generic environmental claims are ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘eco’, ‘green’, ‘nature’s friend’, ‘ecological’, ‘environmentally correct’, ‘climate friendly’, ‘gentle on the environment’, ‘carbon friendly’, ‘carbon neutral’, ‘carbon positive’, ‘climate neutral’, ‘energy efficient’, ‘biodegradable’, ‘biobased’ or similar statements, as well as broader statements such as ‘conscious’ or ‘responsible’ that suggest or create the impression of excellent environmental performance. Such generic environmental claims should be prohibited whenever there is no excellent environmental performance demonstrated or whenever the specification of the claim is not provided in clear and prominent terms on the same medium, such as the same advertising spot, product’s packaging or online selling interface. Where space limitations on the same medium exist, it should be possible to provide the specification through digital means. For example, the claim ‘biodegradable’, referring to a product, would be a generic claim, whilst claiming that ‘the packaging is biodegradable through home composting in one month’ would be a specific claim, which does not fall under this prohibition. It should not be considered a generic environmental claim or a sustainability label when an aggregator program, a filtering functionality, badges or visual representations in online selling interfaces provide consumers the possibility to access or to filter for products or services that are covered by sustainability labels or certification schemes.
Amendment 81 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC should also be amended to prohibit making generic environmental claims without recognised excellent environmental performance which is relevant to thevague or non-specific environmental claim.s Examples of such genervague or non- specific environmental claims are ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘eco’, ‘green’, ‘nature’s friend’, ‘ecological’, ‘environmentally correct’, ‘climate friendly’, ‘gentle on the environment’, ‘carbon friendly’, ‘carbon neutral’, ‘carbon positive’, ‘climate neutral’, ‘energy efficient’, ‘biodegradable’, ‘biobased’ or similar statements, as well as broader statements such as ‘conscious’ or ‘responsible’ that suggest or create the impression of excellent environmental performance. Such genervague or non-specific environmental claims should be prohibited whenever there is no excellent environmental performance demonstrated or whenever the specification of the claim is not provided in clear and prominent terms on the same medium or through digital means, such as the same advertising spot, product’s packaging or online selling interface. For example, the claim ‘biodegradable’, referring to a product, would be a genervague or non-specific claim, whilst claiming that ‘the packaging is biodegradable through home composting in one month’ would be a specific claim, which does not fall under this prohibition.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Excellent environmental performance can be demonstrated by compliance with Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council22 , or officially recognised ecolabelling schemes in the Member States, or compliance with top environmental performance for a specific environmental aspect in accordance with other applicable Union laws, such as a class Arecognised environmental performance that corresponds with the two highest significantly populated classes of energy efficiency in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council23 . The excellent environmental performance in question should be relevant to the claim. For example, a generic claim ‘energy efficient’ could be made based on excellent environmental performance in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1369. By contrast, a genervague or non-specific claim ‘biodegradable’ could not be made based on excellent environmental performance in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, insofar as there are no requirements for biodegradability in the specific EU Ecolabel criteria related to the product in question. __________________ 22 Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1). 23 Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017).
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) It should be prohibited to omit to inform the consumer that a software update, including a security update, will have a negatively impact the use, where relevant, on the durability of goods with digital elements or certain features of those goods, even if the update improves the functioning of other features. For example, when inviting consumers to update the operating system on their smartphone, the trader will have to inform the consumer, where relevant, if such an update will have a negatively impact on the functioningdurability of any of the features of the smartphone.
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Another practice which should be prohibited under Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC is the practice of claiming that a good has a certain durability when it does not. That would be the case, for instance, when a trader informs consumers that a washing machine is expected to last a certain number of washing cycles, with normal expected use in accordance with instructions while the actual use of washing machine shows this is not the case.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Similarly, Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC should also be amended to prohibit presenting products as allowing repair when such repair is not possible provided the product has been used in accordance with expected as normal use, as well as omitting to inform consumers that it is not possible to repair goods in accordance with legal requirements.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Another practice associated with early obsolescence which should be prohibited and added to the list in Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC is inducing the consumer into replacing the consumables of a product earlier than would otherwise be necessary for technical reasons. Such practices mislead the consumer into believing that the goods will no longer function unless their consumables are replaced, thus leading them to purchase more consumables than necessary. For example, the practice of urging the consumer, via the settings of the printer, to replace the printer ink cartridges before they are actually empty in order to stimulate the purchase of additional ink cartridges would be prohibited provided that the purpose is only to promote sales.
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In order for consumers to take better informed decisions and stimulate the demand for, and the supply of, more durable goods, specific information about a product’s durability and reparability should be provided for all types of goods before concluding the contract. Moreover, as regards goods with digital elements, digital content and digital services, consumers should be informed about the period of time during which free software updates can be expected to be are available. Therefore, Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council27 should be amended to provide consumers with pre- contractual information about durability, reparability and the availability of updates. Information should be provided to consumers in a clear and comprehensible manner and in line with the accessibility requirements of Directive 2019/88228 . The obligation to provide this information to consumers complements and does not affect the rights of consumers provided in Directives (EU) 2019/77029 and (EU) 2019/77130 of the European Parliament and of the Council. __________________ 27 Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on consumer rights, amending Council Directive 93/13/EEC and Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 85/577/EEC and Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 64). 28 Directive 2019/882/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 70). 29 Directive (EU) 2019/770 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services (OJ L 136, 22.5.2019, p. 1). 30 Directive (EU) 2019/771 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 on certain aspects concerning contracts for the sale of goods, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2394 and Directive 2009/22/EC, and repealing Directive 1999/44/EC (OJ L 136, 22.5.2019, p. 28).
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 24
Recital 24
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) To promote competition between producers as regards the durability of goods with digital elements the traders selling those goods should inform consumers about the minimum period of time during which the producer commitintends to provide software updates for such goods. However, to avoid overloading consumers with information, such information should only be provided when this period is longer than the period of the producer’s commercial guarantee of durability, as that guarantee entails the provision of updates, including security updates, that are necessary to maintain the required functions and performance of goods with digital elements. Furthermore, information about the producer’s commitmentintentions to provide software updates is relevant only where the sales contract regarding goods with digital elements provides for a single act of supply of the digital content or digital service in respect of which Article 7(3), point (a), of Directive (EU) 2019/771 applies. In contrast, there should be no new obligation to provide that information where the sales contract provides for a continuous supply of the digital content or digital service over a period of time, since for those contracts Article 7(3), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2019/771 specifies, by reference to Article 10 (2) or (5), the period of time during which the seller is to ensure that the consumer is informed of and supplied with updates.
Amendment 128 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Likewise, traders offering digital content and digital services should also inform consumers about the minimum period during which the provider of the digital content or digital service, where the provider is different from the trader, commitintends to provide necessary software updates, including security updates, necessary to keep the digital content and digital services in conformity. Information about the provider’s commitmentintentions to provide software updates is relevant only where the contract provides for a single act of supply or a series of individual acts of supply in respect of which Article 8(2), point (b), of Directive 2019/770 applies. In contrast, there should be no new obligation to provide that information where the contract provides for a continuous supply over a period of time, since for these contracts Article 8(2), point (a) of Directive (EU) 2019/770 specifies the period of time during which the trader is to ensure that the consumer is informed of and supplied with updates.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Pursuant to Article 5(1), point (e), and Article 6(1), point (m), of Directive 2011/83/EU traders are obliged to provide the consumer before the consumer is bound by the contract with information on the existence and the conditions of after-sales services, including repair services, where such services are provided. In addition, in order to ensure that consumers are well informed about the reparability of the goods they purchase, where a reparability score is not established in accordance with Union law, traders should provide, for all types of goods, other relevant repair information that is made available by the producer, such as information about the availability of spare parts, and a user and repair manual.
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) Traders should provide consumers with information about the existence and duration of the producer’s commercial guarantee of durability, the minimum period for updates and the repair information other than the reparability score,necessary updates where the producer or provider of the digital content or digital service, when different from the trader, makes the relevant information available. In particular, as regards goods, the trader should convey to consumers the information that the producer has provided to the trader or has otherwise intended to make readily available to the consumer before the conclusion of the contract, by indicating it on the product itself, its packaging or tags and labels that the consumer would normally consult before concluding the contract. The trader should not be required to actively search for such information from the producer, for example, on the product-specific websiteor through digital means.
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 36 a (new)
Recital 36 a (new)
(36a) The Commission should present easy-to-understand guidelines for businesses with the requirements of this Regulation. When developing such guidelines, the Commission should take into consideration needs of SMEs so as to keep administrative and financial burdens to a minimum while facilitating their compliance with this Regulation. The Commission should consult relevant stakeholders, with expertise in the field of marketing.
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 36 b (new)
Recital 36 b (new)
(36b) Consumer-led review systems based on clear and transparent process can be considered a part of independent monitoring system.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘generic environmental claim’ means any explicit environmental claim, not contained in a sustainability label, where the specification of the claim is not provided in clear and prominent terms on the same medium or through digital means where space limitations on the same medium would otherwise not allow for specification;
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point s
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point s
(s) ‘certification scheme’ means a third-party verification scheme that is open to the participating traders under transparent, fair and non- discriminatory terms to all traders willing and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements, which certifies that a product complies with certain requirements, and for which the monitoring of compliance is objective, based on international, Union or national standards and procedures and carried out by a party independent from both the scheme owner and the trader;
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point s
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point s
(s) ‘certification scheme’ means a third-party verification scheme that is open under transparent, fair and non- discriminatory terms to all traders and entities willing and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements, which certifies that a product complies with certain requirements, and for which the monitoring of compliance is objective, based on international, Union or national standards and procedures and carried out by a party independent from both the scheme owner and the trader; or entity.
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point u
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point u
(u) ‘recognised excellent environmental performance’ means environmental performance compliant with Regulation (EC) 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council*, with national or regional EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabelling schemes officially recognised in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EC) 66/2010, or top environmental performance in accordance with other applicable Union law; ______ * Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel (OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1).
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point w
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point w
(w) ‘software update’ means a free update, including a security update, that is necessary to keep goods with digital elements, digital content and digital services in conformity in accordance with Directives (EU) 2019/770 and (EU) 2019/771;
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the main characteristics of the product, such as its availability, benefits, risks, execution, composition, environmental or social impact where applicable or required by product-specific legislation, accessories, durability, and reparability where applicable or required by product-specific legislation, after- sale customer assistance and complaint handling, method and date of manufacture or provision, delivery, fitness for purpose, usage, quantity, specification, geographical or commercial origin or the results to be expected from its use, or the results and material features of tests or checks carried out on the product.;
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) making an environmental claim related to future environmental performance without clear, objective and verifiable commitments and targets and without an independent monitoring system, such an independent monitoring system can be carried out by consumers who review, provided that it is based on a clear and transparent methodology;
Amendment 204 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 14 d
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 14 d
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a – introductory part
(a) the following points (ea) to (ede) are inserted:
Amendment 221 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b
Amendment 228 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e c
(ec) for goods with digital elements, where the producer makes such information available, the minimum period in units of time during which the producer providesintends to provide necessary software updates, unless the contract provides for a continuous supply of the digital content or digital service over a period of time. Where information about the existence of a commercial guarantee of durability is provided in accordance with point (ea), the information on the updates shall be provided if those updates are supplied for a longer period than the commercial guarantee of durability;
Amendment 234 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point ed a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point ed a (new)
(eda) The producer shall make available the information referred to in paragraph 1(ea), 1(eb) 1(ec) and 1(ed) to the trader. The producer shall make reasonable efforts to inform the trader of any changes or updates thereof. Where the producer does not make available the information or fails to inform the trader of any changes or updates, the trader shall not be held liable for failing to comply with paragraph 1(ea), 1(eb) 1(ec) and 1(ed).
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point i
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) when point (i) is not applicable, information made available by the producer about the availability of spare parts, including the procedure of ordering them, and about the availability of a user and repair manual, where this is required by product-specific legislation.;
Amendment 242 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) when point (i) is not applicableapplicable and relevant, information made available by the producer about the availability of spare parts, including the procedure of ordering them, and about the availability of a user and repair manual.;
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a – introductory part
(a) the following points (ma) to (mde) are inserted:
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
(ma) for all types of goods, where the producer makes it available, information that the goods benefit from a commercial guarantee of durability and its duration in units of timexpected under normal use in units of time in operating hours or in cycles of use, where that guarantee covers the entire good and has a duration of more than two years;
Amendment 262 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point m c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point m c
(mc) for goods with digital elements, where the producer makes such information available, the minimum period in units of time during which the producer provides necessary software updates, unless the contract provides for a continuous supply of the digital content or digital service over a period of time. Where information about the existence of a commercial guarantee of durability is provided in accordance with point (ma), the information on the updates shall be provided if those updates are supplied for a longer period than the commercial guarantee of durability;
Amendment 268 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point md a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point md a (new)
(mda) The producer shall make available the information referred to in paragraph 1(ea), 1(eb) 1(ec) and 1(ed) to the trader. The producer shall make reasonable efforts to inform the trader of any changes or updates thereof. Where the producer does not make available the information or fails to inform the trader of any changes or updates, the trader shall not be held liable for failing to comply with paragraph 1(ea), 1(eb) 1(ec) and 1(ed).
Amendment 270 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point u
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point u
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point v
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point v
(v) when point (u) is not applicable, information made available by the producer about the availability of spare parts, including the procedure of ordering them, and about the availability of a user and repair manual, where this is required by product-specific legislation.;
Amendment 278 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point v
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point v
(v) when point (u) is not applicableapplicable and relevant, information made available by the producer about the availability of spare parts, including the procedure of ordering them, and about the availability of a user and repair manual.;
Amendment 280 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 2011/83/EU
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(va) the place where the goods shall, where applicable, be returned to by the customer.
Amendment 324 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 2005/29/EC
Annex I – point 23 e
Annex I – point 23 e
23e. Omitting to inform the consumer about the existence of a feature of a good intentionally introduced to limit its durability.
Amendment 327 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 2005/29/EC
Annex I – point 23 f
Annex I – point 23 f
23f. Claiming that a good has a certain durability in terms of usage time or intensity when it evidently does not.
Amendment 332 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 2005/29/EC
Annex I – point 23 h
Annex I – point 23 h
23h. Inducing the consumer into replacing the consumables of a good earlier than for technical reasons is necessary, expect for precautions to ensure the appropriate levels of hygiene, safety and performance of a good.
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 2005/29/EC
Annex I – point 23 i
Annex I – point 23 i
23i. Omitting to inform that a good is intentionally designed to limit its functionality when using consumables, spare parts or accessories that are not provided by the original producer..