Integrated product policy (IPP) and eco-product development (EPD)

Integrated Product Policy (IPP) is a European Union (EU) level initiative aimed at reducing the environmental burden of products and services throughout their life cycles by using a toolbox of policy instruments to green markets through greening both the demand side (consumption) and the supply side (product development). IPP is part of a growing trend within environmentally advanced countries in Europe towards product-oriented environmental policies. It is important to make a clear distinction between IPP (Integrated Product Policy) and EPP (Environmental Product Policy). IPP is an EU initiative currently being developed by DG Environment aimed at the formulation of a common product-oriented environmental policy at the EU level. EPP is a more generic term referring to product-oriented environmental policies at a national level inside and outside Europe.