Product policy in Europe - New environmental perspectives
A book entitled "Product policy in Europe - new environmental perspectives" presents the results of research conducted under the "Socio-economic environmental research" area of the Community's specific RTD programme in the field of environment and climate. The book examines the concept of product policy and suggests that, as the more common process-based environmental policies used up till now become less effective, a switch to product policies is a more promising solution to environmental policies. Product policies aim to lessen the environmental damage caused at each stage of a product's life, from the retrieval of the raw materials to its final disposal. The present status of product policy is examined and the potential and limitations of such policies within the EU discussed. Finally, suggestions are made for the improvement of product policy, taking account of the necessary interactions with other elements of environmental policy as well as economic and trade policy.