The ten leading principles for environmental policies in the digital technology industry sector

THE LIFE CYCLE THINKING PRINCIPLE

Integrate environmental considerations at the stage of product design with the aim of reducing all relevant potential environmental impacts over its entire life cycle.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY PRINCIPLE

Ensure that measures and targets are justified by proper scientific assessment of the issue and potential solutions.

THE RESPONSIBILITY PRINCIPLE

Attribute responsibilities to those actors in the product life cycle that can be held accountable for the results.

THE RESOURCE EFFICIENCY PRINCIPLE

Promote a trade-friendly circular economy using also ewaste as a resource, with increased efficiency in the use of materials and energy while giving due considerations to the associated economic implications

THE COMPETITION PRINCIPLE

Allow market forces to drive competition in a technology neutral, level playing field, avoid the creation of monopolies.

THE GLOBAL HARMONISATION PRINCIPLE

Foster global harmonisation of environmental policies for products as far as possible in order to avoid barriers to trade.

THE STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT PRINCIPLE

Ensure transparency in the process by inviting all relevant stakeholders to be actively involved.

THE CLEAR COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLE

Provide accurate and verifiable information to the consumer or other stakeholders. The means in which information will be communicated must remain flexible and adaptable to the needs of the audience.

THE CONSISTENCY PRINCIPLE

Ensure that environmental policies globally rely on the same non-bureaucratic administrative procedures used for compliance with other product-related legislation for the digital technology industry sector.