The European regulation on the ecodesign of sustainable products

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The European regulation on the ecodesign of sustainable products (ESPR) replaces Directive 2009/125/EC on the ecodesign of energy-related products. Entering into force in July 2024, it is part of the Circular Economy Action Plan adopted in 2020 under the Green Deal for Europe. Unlike a directive, it applies directly and uniformly across all EU Member States. By targeting product design, the ESPR plays a key role in enhancing the sustainability of consumer goods.

ESPR requirements

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The ESPR sets ecodesign criteria for all products placed on the European market, whether manufactured in the EU or imported. These requirements aim to enhance product circularity and environmental performance, particularly regarding:

• Durability, reusability, reparability, and maintenance.
• The possibility of refurbishment and recycling.
• Energy efficiency and resource use.
• The restriction of substances harmful to circularity.
• Increasing the share of recycled materials.
• Improving information on product sustainability.
• Reducing carbon and environmental footprint.
• Limiting waste production.

New initiatives

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The Digital Product Passport (DPP): It aims to enhance transparency regarding the composition and environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. It will facilitate reparability, recyclability, and the tracking of hazardous substances.

Green Public Procurement: This initiative encourages public authorities to integrate sustainability criteria into their tenders to stimulate innovation and promote more environmentally friendly products.

Restrictions on the destruction of unsold products: Large companies will be required to limit the destruction of unsold goods by prioritising their reuse, recycling, or donation. By 2030, these obligations will extend to medium-sized enterprises. They will also be required to publish an annual report detailing the unsold products destroyed and the proportion of products recycled or reused.

Products concerned

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The ESPR expands the scope of Directive 2009/125 on ecodesign, rather than limiting itself to energy-related products. The priority products are:

• Steel and iron
• Aluminium
• Textiles (clothing and footwear)
• Furniture
• Tires
• Detergents
• Paints
• Lubricants
• Chemicals
• Electronic products and Information and Communication Technologies

The scope of the ESPR is set to gradually expand to include additional product categories, based on the needs identified by the European Commission.

The challenges of the ESPR

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Roadmap

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• 2025 : Adoption of the first ESPR work plan and initial measures on unsold products
• 2026 : Establishment of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) registry for textiles and the ban on the destruction of unsold products for large companies
• 2030 : Extension of obligations to medium-sized enterprises

Life Cycle Assessment

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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a multi-step and multi-criteria evaluation method standardised to ISO 14040. It enables:

• Measuring the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle (extraction, design, production, distribution, use, end of life, and recycling) through key indicators (global warming, depletion of water resources, depletion of fossil fuels, etc.)
• Reducing environmental impacts en optimisant l’utilisation des ressources.
• Promoting innovation and the competitiveness of organisations.
• Facilitating the implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and information on environmental performance.

How WeLOOP can support you

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• Conducting LCA studies to assess and reduce the environmental impact of products.
• Support in ecodesign approaches.
• Support for compliance with regulatory requirements.