Aktuelle Entwicklungen im EU-Recht – Auf dem Weg zur Einhaltung von SDG 12?

This article examines the implementation of SDG 12 (»Sustainable Consumption and Production«) in the EU and Germany. It combines an indicator-based assessment with an analysis of current EU regulations (and supplementary national developments) designed to promote the achievement of this goal.
At EU level, Eurostat indicators show some positive assessments, but on closer inspection, progress is only limitedly stable: material and consumption footprints fluctuate or improve too slowly, the use of recycled materials is rising well below the required pace, and CO₂ emissions fromnew cars are lagging behind the necessary reduction dynamics. The picture is similar for Germany, made more difficult by differing sets of indicators and a lack of national targets in some cases. Destatis data indicate, among other things, rising hazardous
waste per capita and only slight improvements in recycling rates. National indicators also show a considerable gap between the current situation and the target of significantly effect in the future. Particular emphasis is placed on the Ecodesign Regulation (including digital product passports, extended information and performance requirements, and bans on the destruction of certain unsold textiles), the »Right to Repair« Directive (repair obligations and adjustments to German sales law, in force since July 2026), and measures against greenwashing (EmpCo Directive; the Green Claims Directive remains blocked). In addition, CBAM and the Deforestation Regulation are classified as levers for more sustainable supply chains, but at the same time, simplification and postponement tendencies (»stop the clock«, omnibus packages) and associated weakening, now finalisedfor CSDDD/CSRD, are emphasised.
The article concludes that, given weak indicator trends, political uncertainties and delayed legal effects, it is unlikely that SDG 12 will be fully achieved by 2030. Nevertheless, the regulations currently being introduced - even in their weakened form - have the potential to improve developments in the medium term.