ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the principles of integrated product policy (IPP). Bavaria is well prepared to embark on IPP because of its early and continuous commitment to, and outstanding achievements in, classic environmental protection. Parallel to the first IPP activities of the European Union (EU), the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (StMUGV) began an IPP initiative of its own in 1999 with the formulation of guidelines for its future IPP policy. In February 2001, the European Commission presented its ideas on IPP in a Green Paper. The Bavaria welcomed the Green Paper, because the Commission showed its willingness to work for a strictly future-oriented environmental policy. The Bavarian Ministry of Environment has initiated and financially supports eleven research and development (R&D) projects in order to: meet as many of these objections as possible, prove the value of co-operation of business and state, and so on.
