In 2000, the European PVC industry launched Vinyl 2010, a 10-year plan to enhance sustainability of its product and production over the full life cycle. This means continually improving production processes and products, investing in technology, minimising emissions and waste, and boosting collection and recycling.

The programme is based on the ‘Voluntary Commitment' signed by Vinyl 2010's four member associations. After publication, the Commitment received a wide range of comments during extensive public and political consultations, including from the European Commission's Directorate General Environment and Directorate General Enterprise. These led, in 2001, to a revised and expanded document.

The main commitments are:

No long-term programme can remain static so, as planned from the beginning, the Voluntary Commitment was subject to a mid-term revision of targets in 2005 to take into account practical experience, technical progress and the enlargement of the European Union. The revised Voluntary Commitment was rolled out across the EU-27 in 2007. A new programme and new objectives are under discussion for beyond 2010 to take into account the new challenges of Sustainable Development.

	2006: Updated Voluntary Commitment, click here to download the Updated Voluntary Commitment in your language CZ, DE, FR, GR, EN, HU, IT, NL, ES, PL, PT
	2001: Voluntary commitment of the PVC industry, click here to download it in your language DE, FR, EN, IT, NL, ES, PT
	2000: Sustainable Development, Voluntary commitments from the PVC industry, click here to download it in your language DE, FR, EN, IT, NL, ES