3rd PLATE conference - 2019, Berlin - Main contents

© Anton Bussemaker

While discussions on product lifetimes have been going on for a number of years, the topic is currently debated in the context of the circular economy, ecodesign and collaborative consumption.

This conference discusses these topics - whether they relate directly or indirectly to issues of product lifetimes and the environment - and is open to all product types, consumption, and production sectors and applications.

Presentations and sessions at the 2019 PLATE Conference will focus on:

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  Product lifetimes and product design

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  Circular Economy and circularity in business

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  Sustainable consumption

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  Sharing economy and collaborative consumption

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  Repair, DIY and maker communities

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  Policy, regulation and legislation

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  Obsolescence 4.0 - Digitalisation and product lifetimes

The conference will feature 2 evening networking events, a few workshops and participants have the opportunity to participate in the Fixfest_Reparatur Festival afterwards too.

For more information view the draft programme here.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is an EU advisory body comprising representatives of workers' and employers' organisations and other interest groups. It issues opinions on EU issues to the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, thus acting as a bridge between the EU's decision-making institutions and EU citizens.

What does the EESC do?

It gives the interest groups a formal say on EU legislative proposals. Its 3 key tasks are to:

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  ensure that EU policy and law are geared to economic and social conditions, by seeking a consensus that serves the common good