On 30 March 2022, the European Commission proposed an Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) as part of the Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan under the European Green Deal. The ESPR entered into force on 18 July 2024, is the cornerstone of the Commission’s approach to more environmentally sustainable and circular products.
The ESPR is part of a package of measures that are central to achieving the objectives of the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan. They will contribute to helping the EU reach its environmental and climate goals, doubling its circularity rate of material use and to achieving its energy efficiency targets by 2030.
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation : Objectives
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a framework legislation, meaning concrete product rules will be decided progressively over time, on a product-by-product basis, or horizontally, on the basis of groups of products with similar characteristics.
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The objective of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation is to make sustainable products the norm on the EU market and reduce their overall environmental and climate impacts. The ‘take-make-use-dispose’ model can be avoided, and much of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage. The new Regulation will extend the existing Ecodesign framework in two ways: first, to cover the broadest possible range of products; and second, where appropriate, to broaden the scope of the requirements with which products are to comply.
The process will begin with a prioritisation exercise, followed by publication of a working plan sets out the products and measures to be addressed under the ESPR over a given time period. Development of product rules will then start, based on inclusive planning, detailed impact assessments and regular stakeholder consultation. This will happen through an Ecodesign Forum.
The Environmental Impact of Consumption
The way we consume products in the European Union significantly contributes to climate change and pollution. From the extraction of raw materials to end-of-life disposal, products consume vast amounts of resources and cause substantial environmental harm. The EU’s new regulation intends to reverse these trends by making sustainable products the norm, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and pollution.
Products use up massive amounts of materials, energy and other resources and cause significant environmental impacts throughout their lifecycle, from the extraction of raw materials, to manufacture, transport, use and end of life. Half of global greenhouse gases and 90% of biodiversity loss are caused by extracting and processing primary raw materials.
Negative environmental impacts include significant resource depletion, generation of greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution. A recent JRC study demonstrated that global planetary boundaries are close to or are already being surpassed in several impact categories. The EU needs to act now to reverse these trends.
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Benefits for Consumers and Businesses
The ESPR aims to lower costs and reduce hassles for consumers by promoting longer-lasting, higher-quality products. It also encourages companies to innovate and compete on sustainability, fostering job creation in remanufacturing, refurbishment, and recycling industries.
The newly enforced Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) aims to significantly reduce the environmental and climate impact of products in the EU market. This regulation is a key component of the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, targeting more sustainable and circular product lifecycles.
The proposal provides consumers with access to better information and higher quality products. The costs for manufacturing the products that will be regulated are expected to increase, with possibility that some may be being passed on to consumers. The experience under the current Ecodesign Directive, however, is that increased manufacturing costs are more than offset by financial savings for consumers over the long term.
Improved product performance and longer functionality will reduce the need to replace products, and lead to overall cost savings, including through lower energy and resource consumption (for example water for washing machines and dishwashers), better performance, durability, upgradability and reparability, as well as higher value at the end of life. Continuing to set ecodesign rules for energy-related products will lead to continued energy savings – especially important given the ongoing hikes in energy prices.
EU’s Green Procurement and Waste Reduction Initiatives
Public authorities in the EU allocate approximately €1.8 trillion on purchasing works, goods, and services. The ESPR aims to direct these expenditures towards sustainability by establishing mandatory Green Public Procurement criteria for EU authorities when purchasing regulated products. This shift has the potential to greatly increase the demand for sustainable products, thereby encouraging companies to invest more in sustainable practices.
Moreover, in the EU, numerous unsold products are often destroyed, wasting valuable resources. For the first time, the ESPR tackles this issue by banning the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear, and potentially extending similar bans to other sectors based on evidence.
The regulation mandates that large, and eventually medium-sized, companies in all product sectors must annually disclose information on their websites, including the quantity and weight of discarded products and the reasons behind their disposal.
Key Features of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
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- Durability and Repairability: Products must be designed to last longer and be easier to repair.
- Resource Efficiency : Increased use of recycled materials and fewer harmful chemicals.
- Energy Efficiency : Enhanced energy-saving measures to reduce costs for consumers.
- Digital Product Passport : A scannable tag providing detailed sustainability information.
- Ban on Wasteful Practices : Measures to end the destruction of unsold products, starting with textiles and footwear.
What is a Digital Product Passport ( DPP ) ?
The ESPR will implement a Digital Product Passport (DPP), essentially a digital identity card for products, components, and materials, which will contain essential information to enhance product sustainability, promote circularity, and ensure legal compliance.
This information will be available electronically, enabling consumers, manufacturers, and authorities to make well-informed decisions regarding sustainability, circularity, and regulatory compliance. Customs authorities will also be able to automatically verify the existence and authenticity of DPPs for imported products.
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The Commission, in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will determine the specific information included in the DPP, tailored to each product type. This information may cover:
- Technical performance of the product
- Origin of materials used
- Repair activities
- Recycling capabilities
- Environmental impacts throughout the product lifecycle
Next Steps in Implementation
The European Commission will establish the Ecodesign Forum to gather stakeholder input and adopt the first ESPR working plan. This plan will set priorities and measures for various products, reinforcing sustainable consumption and production patterns across the EU.
By implementing the ESPR, the EU takes a significant step toward achieving its environmental and climate goals, promoting a circular economy, and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Source : The European Commission
Author : Andra Nițu
InfoCons – European Organization for Consumer Protection and Promotion of Programs and Strategies , a full member of the World Organization Consumers International , founding member of the Federation of Consumer Associations , and member of ANEC .