Integrated Product Policy (IPP)

Integrated Product Policy (IPP) aims to reduce the environmental impact of products. To do so it seeks to influence every stage of a products’ life-cycle. At each phase of this cycle, the IPP implements measures to foster the environmental performance of the products.

The first step taken by the European Union on creating a IPP was through the Commission Communication  published in June 2003. The Communication set in place a number of tools - such as economic measures, substance bans, eco-labelling, voluntary agreements and product design guidelines - in its effort to create an effective IPP. Subsequent to the Communication the Commission has worked on several initiatives. A recent example is the Ecodesign Directive which promotes Europe-wide rules for improving the environmental performance of energy related products through Ecodesign. This initiative benefits both consumers and businesses.