RREUSE has shared its views with the European Commission on the upcoming Consumer Agenda 2025–2030, urging stronger action to empower people and promote truly sustainable consumption.
At the core of our recommendations is the need to enshrine a genuine right to repair and reuse, making sustainable choices accessible, affordable, and fair. This includes expanding the scope of repair legislation, ensuring affordable spare parts, and banning anti-repair practices that block independent repairers and consumers.
We also highlight the crucial role of social circular enterprises. These organisations don’t just reduce waste and extend the life of products — they also create local jobs, provide training, and make sustainable options affordable for every European. Online platforms like Label Emmaüs and Widado show how access to second-hand goods can be scaled up while keeping inclusion at the centre.
Another key concern is the need to address harmful commercial practices that drive waste and overconsumption, including ultra-fast fashion, manipulative “dark patterns,” software obsolescence, and single-parcel shipping models. These practices undermine the shift to a circular economy and must be addressed through restrictions, bans, or fines.
To make repair and reuse a real choice for all Europeans, we recommend implementing financial incentives such as repair vouchers or bonuses, funded through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. We also urge the Commission to set clear rules ensuring spare parts remain affordable and available for the full lifespan of products. Recognising and supporting social circular enterprises as essential partners will help deliver a fairer, more sustainable Single Market for consumers.
