The European industrial landscape is undergoing an unprecedented phase of regulatory transition. Against this backdrop, on Friday 20 December 2024, the prestigious setting of the Montecitorio Press Room at the Chamber of Deputies hosted the meeting “Design & Circularity: Tools for Businesses”. The event represented a fundamental moment of synthesis between institutions, academia and the professional world to define the trajectories of competitive sustainability.
The central role of Ecodesign and the ESPR Regulation
During his speech, Marco Capellini outlined the pillars of circular design, emphasising the new EU Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR).
Capellini presented advanced circularity measurement tools, emphasising how the adoption of scientific metrics and mentoring strategies is essential for transforming regulatory constraints into competitive advantages. The ability to objectively measure the degree of circularity of a product is now a prerequisite for accessing international markets and responding to consumer and investor demands for transparency.
The debate, enriched by contributions from authoritative speakers, highlighted a systemic issue: the need to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) along innovation paths that are not burdensome but enabling. The EU legislative framework, characterised by regulations that are soon to be implemented, is firmly focused on sustainable design “by design”.
For the excellence of Made in Italy, circularity represents the new frontier of quality. Combining the aesthetics and functionality typical of Italian production with the principles of the circular economy means preserving the value of resources and reducing the environmental footprint of the country’s economy, while strengthening the resilience of supply chains.
Road map 2025: an action plan for the future
The meeting at Montecitorio was not an isolated event, but rather the founding act of a strategic work plan that will unfold throughout 2025. The goal is to create a network of technical and cultural support through a series of targeted projects that provide SMEs with the operational tools to navigate the complexities of the ecological transition.
Key figures from the political, diplomatic and scientific spheres attended the event, demonstrating the cross-cutting nature of the issue:
- On. Fabio Porta and On. Christian Diego Di Sanzo (Members of Parliament): They highlighted the importance of legislative support and representation of productive interests in decision-making forums.
- Andrea Canepari (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): Discussed the international dimension of sustainability as a tool for promoting the country’s economy.
- Marco Capellini (Marco Capellini studio and expert consultant on circularity): He oversaw the technical analysis of circularity strategies.
- Sabrina Lucibello (Sapienza University of Rome): She contributed an academic perspective on research applied to design and new materials.
- Gaetano Fausto Esposito (Tagliacarne Study Centre): Analysed the economic impact of the transition on Chambers of Commerce.
- Gianni Lattanzio (Ambientevivo): He focused attention on corporate social and environmental responsibility.
This shared path marks a decisive step towards an economy where design is not just form, but the primary tool for ensuring a regenerative future for Italian businesses.
