That ICT Pact it must guarantee “a transparent production process, in which the rights of workers are protected.” According to Secretary of State Stientje van Veldhoven for Water Infrastructure and Management, the electronics sector is responsible for more than 2 percent of global CO2 emissions and the products have too short a useful life.

In addition to the Netherlands and Belgium, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, Austria and Switzerland have also signed the pact. The connection with other countries, such as Canada, is being discussed. In the future, both countries and organizations that purchase ICT products will be able to join the pact.

Circular gadgets

According to Van Veldhoven, buyers can use the pact to demonstrate that there is a demand for circular ICT products. This, in turn, should stimulate producers to make products truly circular and accelerate development towards these types of products.

Durable phone

With the pact, the signatories also commit to buy ICT products in a sustainable way. This should result in a knowledgeable international network that will allow them to stay stronger in the face of generally much larger and more powerful producers, believes the Secretary of State.

According to Van Veldhoven, this will also make it easier for consumers to choose a sustainable phone or tablet.