ABSTRACT
Integrated product policy (IPP) covers one aspect of product policy. An assessment of the practical use of each of the IPP instruments made for each of the central life phases of different products. Instruments such as taxes on products, public procurement and standardisation, respectively, are political domains jealously guarded by other ministries or other units in the environmental ministries. Another aspect is that IPP looks at the complete life-cycle of a product. Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is very much a subject of international discussion. A number of states are considering IPP under the heading of SCP. In contrast with IPP, there will be an international procedure established—led by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Union. One of the aims of government policy therefore will be to first establish a high level of information on products as the basis for a 'green conscience'.
