Towards more sustainable consumption: the role of durable goods and legal guarantees

09:30 - 10:00 Registration and Coffee

10:00 – 10:15 Opening speech Mr Thierry Libaert, EESC member and rapporteur of the opinion on planned obsolescence

10:15 – 10:30 Welcome by BEUC President Örjan Brinkman

10:30 – 10:45 Key note speech, Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP

10:45 – 11:15 Coffee Break

11:15 – 12:30 Panel Debate: Planned obsolescence: reality or fiction?

14:00 – 14:30 Prof. Dr. Tobias Brönneke, Pforzheim University: Legal guarantees and options for reforming the 99/44 Directive

14:30 – 15:00 Hugo Schally, Head of Unit Eco-Innovation and Circular Economy, European Commission, DG Environment: EU sustainable product policy and improvement options regarding durability

15:00 – 15:30 Coffee Break

15:30 – 16:00 Altroconsumo and Consumentenbond: Early failure of smartphones and consumer experience with legal guarantee rights

15:45 – 16:45 Panel Debate: What should be done at EU level to improve durability of products?
Gabriele Zgubic, Arbeiterkammer
Stefan Schridde, Murks nein danke!
Industry representative
Expert from WRAP (UK)
Christel Schaldemose, MEP

16:45 – 17:00 Wrap up Monique Goyens, BEUC Director General