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Europian Union - Laws and regulations

Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force on 18 July 2024, is the cornerstone of the Commission’s approach to more environmentally sustainable and circular products.

Products and the way we use them can significantly impact the environment. Consumption in the EU can, therefore, be a major cause of climate change and pollution.

Ultimately, the ESPR seeks to create a more circular economy and reduce the environmental footprint of products.

What are the benefits of these rules?

Environmental Benefits:

  • Reduced Waste: ESPR promotes durable and repairable products, minimizing landfill waste and pollution.
  • Lower Carbon Footprint: By optimizing resource use and encouraging energy efficiency, the ESPR helps reduce emissions.
  • Resource Efficiency: The regulation encourages the use of recycled content and the design of products for recyclability and remanufacturing.

    • Economic Benefits:

  • Increased Competitiveness: Businesses that comply with the ESPR can gain a competitive edge by meeting the growing demand for sustainable products.
  • Innovation: ESPR incentivizes manufacturers to develop eco-friendly products and technologies.
  • Cost Savings: Consumers may benefit from more durable and energy-efficient products, leading to lower costs in the long run.

    • Social Benefits:

  • Consumer Empowerment: ESPR provides consumers with more information about product sustainability through Digital Product Passports and promotes transparency in the market.
  • Job Creation: The regulation can stimulate growth in sectors like remanufacturing, refurbishment, and recycling, creating new job opportunities.

    • Improved Circularity:

  • Digital Product Passport: The ESPR introduces a Digital Product Passport (DPP) to provide information on a product's sustainability and circularity.
  • Unsold Products: Measures are introduced to prevent the destruction of unsold products, promoting reuse and recycling.

    • What are the obligations for companies?

    Law as ‘ecodesign requirements’

    The ESPR aims to significantly improve the sustainability of products placed on the EU market by improving their circularity, energy performance, recyclability and durability.

    • Improving product durability, reusability, upgradability and reparability
    • Enhancing the possibility of product maintenance and refurbishment
    • Making products more energy and resource-efficient
    • Addressing the presence of substances that inhibit circularity
    • Making products easier to remanufacture and recycle
    • Setting rules on carbon and environmental footprints
    • Improving the availability of information on product sustainability

    Implementation

    The process started with a prioritisation exercise, following this, the Commission adopted the first ESPR and Energy Labelling Working Plan in April 2025, setting out which products will be prioritised over the coming years. Product rules will then be developed based on inclusive planning, detailed impact assessments, regular stakeholder consultation within the Ecodesign Forum, and specific consultations.
     

    Textiles/Apparel – implementation before 2027

    High potential to improve product lifetime extension, material efficiency and to reduce impacts on water, waste generation, climate change and energy consumption. Information requirements under the ESPR will work in synergy with the Textile Labelling Regulation, currently under review.

    Framework

    The ESPR is a piece of framework legislation that lays the foundation for the subsequent adoption of concrete rules, either on a product-by-product basis or horizontally, based on groups of products with similar characteristics.