EU Regulation 2024/1781: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
The EU Regulation 2024/1781, better known as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), was introduced on 18 July 2024 as a new framework for sustainable product design within the European Union. This regulation largely replaces the previous Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC and expands the scope to virtually all physical products placed on the EU market.
Through this regulation, sustainable production becomes the norm and transparency about products and their environmental impact is increased. This makes the ESPR an important part of the European climate and circular objectives towards 2050. Organisations that develop, produce or import products within the EU should prepare for this at an early stage.
Key Points of EU Regulation 2024/1781
Extensive Product Coverage
The regulation expands the existing rules to a much wider range of products. Whereas the previous scheme mainly focused on energy-related products such as refrigerators and washing machines, the ESPR now applies to virtually all physical products placed on the market in the EU. This means that almost every product category will eventually have to comply with new ecological design requirements aimed at sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
New Ecodesign Requirements
Organizations must expect that products under this regulation will have to meet a range of ecodesign criteria. These include requirements in the areas of durability, reliability, reusability, upgradability, reparability, efficient use of energy and resources, and restriction of hazardous substances. This makes the production process broader and more in-depth than with classic energy-related products.
Digital Product Passport
An important aspect of the ESPR is the introduction of a digital product passport. This passport will receive a unique identification code that provides access to extensive information about the product, including technical specifications, materials used, origin, recyclability, and reparability. Companies must prepare how they will collect, manage, and share this information.
Ban on the Destruction of Unsold Products
From a date to be determined, which will be established in an implementing act by the European Commission, there will be a ban on the destruction of unsold consumer goods. This does not apply to micro-enterprises or medium-sized enterprises until 19 July 2030. Market participants must provide insight into goods they withdraw from the market and account for why this happens. This contributes to preventing waste and encourages repurposing or circular sales.
Transparency and Reporting
Product supply chains must become more transparent. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors are required to keep extensive reports. These reports contain product data, quantities of products placed on the market, and related information about waste management and recycling. In addition, products must provide information on their ecological performance through labels.
Green Public Procurement
The regulation sets criteria for sustainable public procurement. Public authorities are given more flexibility to set sustainability requirements in tenders, which structurally increases the demand for sustainable products. This provides opportunities for organizations that want to invest innovatively and with a future-oriented approach in sustainable production.
Action advice for organizations
Now that the EU Regulation 2024/1781 (ESPR) is in force, it is important to take concrete steps:
- Identify which products within your organization fall under the regulation.
- Assess current product and design processes on ecological criteria such as recyclability, reparability, and reusability.
- Prepare to collect and make product information available for the digital product passport.
- Monitor the publication of implementing acts by the European Commission, as these will establish further obligations.
By starting these preparations in time, you strengthen the compliance of products and seize opportunities to position your offering more sustainably and innovatively.
