Integrated product policy aims to avoid risks of this kind.

It is important that we continue to work with an Integrated Product Policy.

One might say that she has thus already pre-empted the discussions on the White Paper on integrated product policy.

Nature is not concerned about integrated product policy from start to finish: for nature, everything is always the start of something new.

On the contrary, the measures taken here must take account of environmental effects throughout the life-cycle, with the Integrated Product Policy being applied.

The Integrated Product Policy is another legislative action that Europe has taken in order to facilitate life cycle thinking.

It is of no consequence that we are beginning to prepare an Integrated Product Policy even before the resource strategy is ready.

Nor, therefore, do I think that the Integrated Product Policy should embrace resource-based objectives.

The Integrated Product Policy seeks to minimize the environmental degradation caused from the manufacturing, use and disposal of all products.

In my judgment, we must handle the problems via Integrated Product Policy and via the thematic strategies.

If this is to happen, the Integrated Product Policy must, however, be based upon a long-term vision of how we are to change our industrial production model.

It seems as if the Commission has partly rejected the Integrated Product Policy in favour of the thematic strategies.

In this respect, I can only support the European Commission' s approach set out in its Green Paper on integrated product policy.

However impatient we may be, I believe that we must wait a little and see how different actors apply the Integrated Product Policy in practice.

In 2007, the Commission will review the two points I have mentioned, as well as the whole of the Integrated Product Policy.

The Commission, aware of this problem, has presented this Green Paper on integrated product policy, with varying degrees of wisdom and balance.

However, the European Commission is encouraging the approach through its Integrated Product Policy (IPP).

We have before us a real opportunity to move forward in terms of an integrated product policy and the thematic strategy of the Sixth Environmental Action Programme.

Integrated Product Policy (IPP)

Integrated product policy works to minimize environmental degradation caused by products by looking at all phases of a product's life-cycle to pinpoint where taking action is most effective.

They form part of the integrated product policy, and the rules must also of course promote, among many other things, sustainable development in accordance with the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Secondly, I wish to emphasise that I do not believe that this is the right moment to prepare a framework directive on the Integrated Product Policy.

For example, we might place greater emphasis upon services, recommend a framework directive or change the Integrated Product Policy as a result of the discussions concerning the thematic strategies.

Finally, the integrated product policy will address issues dealing with design, manufacturing, use and disposal across the whole life cycle of a product and will therefore impact upon waste generation.

The first revolves around an Integrated Product Policy. I want to state in no uncertain terms that we have specifically emphasised life cycle analysis and this way of looking at the issues.