Competitiveness is at the heart of the EU’s agenda as it transitions toward a more sustainable economy. The Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal provide new direction to achieve this shift.

Circularity focuses on the entire life cycle of many products via material use reduction, product maintenance and servicing, as well as strategies such as reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling. These actions extend the life of materials, preserve value across supply chains, and minimise resource waste. A circular economy, with its potential to drive sustainable competitiveness, increase strategic autonomy and promote innovation, offers concrete solutions to some of the EU's most pressing industrial and environmental challenges.

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) aims to improve the circularity, energy performance, recyclability, and durability of products like textiles or steel and aluminum. While circularity policies are often framed around consumer products, industrial circularity presents a different set of challenges and opportunities. Consequently, stakeholders have raised concerns that the regulation does not currently differentiate between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) circularity needs.

To address these challenges, the European Commission is advancing other initiatives, including the Circular Economy Act and a revision of the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). These aim to support the EU’s goals under the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal to increase recycled material in the EU economy, particularly in areas like waste from electrical and electronic equipment.

Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the future of B2B circularity in the EU. Questions to be addressed include:

• What are the main issues faced by industry in becoming more circular? How can it be ensured that all resources are used?
• How can the EU address current regulatory gaps, including the need to distinguish between B2B and B2C circularity requirements?
• How effective is the ESPR in promoting circularity, and what improvements are needed?
• What policy tools can drive and encourage circularity across all industrial sectors? What role can industry play in shaping the next policy agenda?
• How will the Circular Economy Act strengthen existing EU initiatives?