REACH Authorisation Annex XIV - Process ongoing

Refractory Ceramic Fibres, Borates and Coal tar pitch, high temperature are listed in the 5th and 6th ECHA recommendations for substances to be included in the REACH Authorisation list (Annex XIV). The REACH Committee meeting on 21-22 October 2015 launched the discussions on their possible inclusion in the Annex XIV.

As these substances are of utmost importance to ceramic industries and their downstream users, Cerame-Unie maintains that there are socio-economic implications related to a possible inclusion. As a member of the Cross-Industry Initiative (CII), CU supports the proposal to consider workplace legislation as an alternative to REACH Authorisation. Kai Sebastien Melzer, Regulatory Affairs Manager at the Nickel Institute, spoke on this subject at the CU General Assembly on 1 December 2015.

The process is still ongoing but the REACH Committee should come to a decision in the first half of 2016.

EU ETS Directive review impacts ceramic industry

The impact of the EU ETS Directive review plays a crucial role in ceramic sectors’ recovery from the crisis, which hit Europe in 2008. Many ceramic sectors – namely ceramic tiles, bricks and pipes, refractories, and sanitaryware – are at risk of production, jobs and investment relocation to other globally competing economies. Their international competitiveness would be hampered if the carbon leakage risks are not mitigated. Furthermore, if such leakage occurred, it would increase the global carbon footprint. This is why the retention of 100% carbon leakage status for best performers after 2020 is a business critical issue for those ceramic sectors. The European Commission proposes to maintain the carbon leakage measures and grant 100% free allocation at the level of reviewed benchmarks to all sectors deemed at the carbon leakage risk in the period 2021-2030.

Introduction of any kind of differentiation on the carbon leakage list, as advocated by some Member States, leads to incomplete carbon leakage protection and consequently to a distortion of the level playing field both with EU and international competitors. Moreover, there is a need for increased legal certainty to unleash the long-term investment perspectives, in particular in such ceramic sectors as bricks and roof tiles.

On 25 January ceramic industry representatives highlighted their concerns with regards to the impact of the EU ETS Directive review for ‘phase four’ during an MEP’s visit to a UK-based brickwork. MEP Ian Duncan, the rapporteur on this file, attended the meeting organised by the British Ceramic Confederation (BCC). His visit was reported in local newspaper The Sentinel.

Next steps

After the legislative proposal was published by the European Commission on 15 July, the discussions started in the Council during the October meeting of the Environment Ministers. Similarly, the topic will soon enter the European Parliament’s agenda. Negotiations are expected to take place until at least mid-2017.

Further reading

Under Cerame-Unie, TBE published a position paper on the Post 2020 EU ETS Review, in particular the carbon leakage risk assessment, as well as other elements of the EC proposal.

MEP Ian Duncan with BCC Chief Executive Laura Cohen and TBE Secretary General Magdalena Vallebona

INSYSME holds two-day meeting in Brussels

On 14-15 January the INSYSME partners met in Brussels to discuss the 27-month progress of the project. The INSYSME project aims at developing innovative systems for masonry enclosures and is funded under FP7.

The first day covered the project mid-term review and scientific parts of the working packages. On the second day, the meeting addressed the practical demonstration activities as well as the summary of the dissemination tasks. In the evening a group of 30 participants enjoyed Belgian cuisine in the historical town center. The two-day meeting was hosted by TBE.

More information about the project can be found here.

Macro-objectives for Environmental Performance of Buildings

Following the Communication on Resource Efficiency Opportunities in the building sector, the European Commission launched a ‘Resource Efficient Buildings’ study to develop a common EU framework of core indicators to assess the environmental performance of buildings. DG ENVI and DG GROW are coordinating the development of this framework, but the study will be carried out by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in 2015-2017.

In December 2015, JRC published a working paper that focuses on the identification of macro-objectives for the environmental performance of buildings. Six short-term final macro-objectives were identified:

1. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from building life cycle energy use: minimise the total GHG along a building’s lifecycle, with a focus on building operational energy use emissions and embodied emissions.

2. Resource efficient material life cycles: optimise building design, engineering and form in order to support lean and circular flows, extend long-term material utility and reduce significant environmental impacts.

3. Efficient use of water resources: make efficient use of water resources, particularly in areas of identified long-term or projected water stress.

4. Healthy and comfortable spaces: Design, construction and renovation of buildings that protect human health by minimising the potential for occupier and worker exposure to health risks.

5. Resilience to climate change: future-proofing buildings’ thermal performance for projected changes in the urban microclimate in order to protect occupier health and comfort.

6. Optimised life cycle cost (LCC) and value: optimisation of the LCC and value of building, inclusive of acquisition, operation, maintenance and disposal.

In the medium to long term, the list of macro-objectives can be extended to ten for the identification of performance indicators. Such indicators could address productive workspaces and liveable and decent homes. It may also be possible to include indicators related to new-build neighbourhoods (e.g. travel patterns, urban pressure on land and green and low carbon infrastructure).

According to the project overview, a public consultation will be launched in summer 2016 and the final set of resource efficiency core indicators should be ready in July 2017.

EU policymakers address implementation of Natura 2000

On 1 December 2015 in Brussels, MEP Annie Schreijer-Pierik presented her study on the implementation of Natura 2000 in the Netherlands, entitled “A Trapped Country”. Being both a Dutch MEP and a member of the EP Ceramics Forum, she is well aware of the brick industry’s frustrations with the interpretation of N2000 in the Netherlands. She referred to the industry’s WWF-approved practice of creating new high-end wetlands out of clay pits as an example to be followed. However, as pointed out by KNB Director Ewald L.J. van Hal, the implementation of the N2000 framework challenges these practices. He further emphasised the economic, social and cultural importance of the brick industry in the areas covered by N2000.

Later in December, Mr van Hal met with ALDE MEP Jan Huitema and Nicola Notaro, European Commission Director Nature of DG Environment. The meeting aimed to establish contact and exchange knowledge but also provided an opportunity to address Natura 2000. The subject will likely be debated at EU level under the Dutch EU Presidency in the first half of 2016.

EP adopts non-binding resolution on Energy Union

On 15 December 2015 the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution entitled “Towards a European Energy Union”.

The resolution calls for a fully integrated European energy market and focuses on the issues of security of supply, energy efficiency as a “first fuel” and sustainable economy, in particular the decarbonisation of the transport sector. It mentions the energy efficiency potential in buildings and stresses that “it is necessary to increase both the depth and the rate of building renovation” (para 97). The resolution was voted with a large majority 403 votes to 177, with 117 abstentions.

Global climate deal successfully struck in Paris

On 12 December a global climate agreement was reached at COP 21 in Paris. The negotiating parties, with an aim to strengthen the response to the threat of climate change, agreed to keep the increase in the global temperature to “well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and to “pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C”. According to the agreement, all parties are obliged to submit nationally determined contributions, which constitute their non-binding mitigation pledges and which will be reviewed for progress every five years. Developed countries shall continue taking the lead, while the developing countries are encouraged to move towards economy-wide emission reduction targets “in the light of different national circumstances”. The treaty will enter into force after it is ratified by 55 countries that together account for at least 55% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions, which is expected by 2020.

The ceramic industry has been actively contributing to the achievement of global climate goals through investing in increases in energy efficiency and CO2 reduction and by innovating in more energy efficient products. It is participating in the EU ETS scheme with the largest number of installations in the EU (1,200) representing only 1% of total industrial emissions. Restoring an equal level playing field worldwide is essential for European manufacturing industries that compete globally, such as ceramics.

The Paris agreement ultimately sketches a path towards long-term universal climate ambitions and possibly actions. The full text of the agreement can be found here.

CPE workshop on Environmental Product Declarations

On 10 December, Construction Products Europe (CPE) held a workshop to discuss the current situation of Environmental Product Declarations (EDPs). The event brought together over 60 experts in the field of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental assessment of buildings/products.

Panellist Lisa Wastiels (BBRI) explained the end-of-life approaches used in the European standard EN15804 and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). Dieter De Lathauwer from the Belgian government and Carolin Spirinckx (VITO) presented the draft CEN/TC350 technical report on new indicators for EPDs. Finally, Jane Anderson (thinkstep) gave some examples on how benchmarking is applied to construction products. The PowerPoint presentations are available on the CPE website.

MEP Dalton calls for equal treatment of all energy intensive industries

In a BBC Radio Stoke interview, MEP Dan Dalton - conservative UK MEP and member of the European Parliament Ceramics Forum - called for equal carbon leakage protection for all energy intensive industries, including ceramics, under the review of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme post 2020. These measures are essential for the continued competitiveness of sectors at risk of carbon leakage such as tiles and bricks.

Listen to the radio interview (above issue discussed at 1h10)

MEP Dalton recently visited Ibstock Brick, the UK's largest brickmaker. The visit was to Ibstock’s Chesterton plant, which has recently undergone a £22 million (€30 million) investment in response to rising energy prices and increasing product demand. The visit was arranged to hear the sector’s concerns on ETS phase 4 proposals, specifically the tiered approach to free allocation which undermines jobs and investment in UK/EU brick manufacturing.

As mentioned in the above interview, MEP Dalton has also visited Lucideon, a materials technology company, experiencing first-hand an industry that has both traditional and high-tech applications.

MEP Dan Dalton visits Ibstock Brick's Chesterton site

2015 Ceramic Days & 16th EP Ceramics Forum

European ceramic industry calls for level playing field at annual Plenary

On 1 December 2015 the European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF) met for its 16th Plenary meeting in Brussels. Trade, particularly the thorny issue of whether or not to grant China Market Economy Status, and climate, namely the carbon leakage protection in the reviewed EU Emissions Trading Scheme post 2020, featured on the agenda. The event was co-hosted by EPCF Chairs MEP Paul Rübig and MEP Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, and attracted over 120 participants from EU institutions, the ceramic industry and other stakeholders.

Setting the scene for the event, Vice-President of the European Parliament MEP Antonio Tajani highlighted the ceramic industry’s significant contribution to the target of 20% share of GDP for European industry by 2020. He maintained that a strong industrial policy and a level playing field are crucial for EU to compete at global level.

The first panel, EU Trade Defence Instruments and the non-Market Economy Status (MES) of China, was moderated by MEP Jude-Kirton Darling. Panellists included MEP Rodríguez-Piñero, DG Trade Director Leopoldo Rubinacci, AEGIS Europe spokesperson Ines Van Lierde and Cerame-Unie President Alain Delcourt. The topic, currently under discussion in the European institutions, could have severe economic consequences for many EU manufacturing sectors including the ceramic industry. The question of whether or not to grant MES to China originally evolved out of a subparagraph of China’s WTO Accession Protocol expiring in late 2016. The current debate, however, acknowledges that granting MES is not necessarily automatic and all agree that China does not meet EU criteria to be considered a market economy. While some argue that it is a political decision, the industry urges policymakers not to ignore the economic reality, namely that removing anti-dumping measures would put at least 100,000 direct EU ceramic jobs at risk. Moreover, a recent independent study found that up to 3.5 million EU jobs could be at risk if China were granted MES prematurely. For European industry to maintain and create EU jobs a level playing field is absolutely critical. Consequently, before making any proposal, EU policymakers should conduct a full impact assessment, coordinate with major trading partners and ensure the continued efficiency of the EU’s trade defence instruments, in particular for SMEs.

The second panel, Post-2020 EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in the context of COP21 moderated by MEP Rübig, looked at the EU ETS review proposed by the European Commission in July. The panel brought together DG CLIMA Head of Unit Hans Bergman, EPP shadow rapporteur on EU ETS review MEP Ivo Belet, Luxembourgish Environment Attaché Christophe Hansen, MEP José Inácio Faria and Wienerberger CEO Heimo Scheuch. The ceramic industry is a key player in the debate on EU ETS with the most installations but less than 1% of the emissions. Speakers agreed that EU ETS legislation post 2020 should include protection measures for sectors at risk of carbon leakage. Although not in the European Commission proposal, the panel addressed the request from some Member States to consider differentiation between sectors in carbon leakage protection levels. The ceramic industry is convinced that this is not the right way forward as it may lead to an unequal level playing field even on the EU internal market. As a highly innovative and efficient sector, the industry actively contributes to the achievement of the EU’s climate targets. But for long-term investment it is essential that the ceramic industry receives fullcarbon leakage protection after 2020. Regarding the ongoing climate negotiations in Paris, panellists expressed their hope that COP21 will result in a strong and legally binding global agreement.

A keynote speech from Stefano Bonaccini, President of the Emilia Romagna Region in Italy, rounded out the presentations. He explored the role that ceramics play in his region, as a sustainable industry with social and economic relevance.

The 16th EPCF Plenary was concluded by thanking MEP Rübig for his commitment as EPCF Chair since 2014 and welcoming the new EPCF Chair and first Chairwoman, MEP Rodríguez-Piñero. Thanks to all speakers and participants for making this year’s event a success and we look forward to celebrating the 17th Plenary meeting on Tuesday, 29 November 2016.

About the Plenary

The European Parliament Ceramics Forum is a cross-party discussion group with the objective of facilitating the dialogue between the European institutions and the ceramic industry on all relevant policy developments. Find out more about the EPCF at www.epceramicsforum.eu.

The Plenary meeting takes place in the context of the 2015 Ceramic Days organised by Cerame-Unie, the European ceramic industry association that includes TBE in its membership. As the preeminent policy event for Europe’s ceramic manufacturers, the Ceramic Days present a key occasion for representatives from all ceramic sectors, experts and policymakers to exchange ideas at sectoral and public events. Members' meetings, including the annual Cerame-Unie General Assembly and sectoral meetings, took place throughout the Ceramic Days from 30 November to 2 December 2015. Find out more about Cerame-Unie at www.cerameunie.eu.

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