EU Implements New Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation to Boost Environmental Sustainability

On 18 July 2024, the European Union implemented its latest Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation, marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability. The regulation, referred to as ESPR, is a vital component of the Commission’s strategy to promote greener and more circular products. It is part of a comprehensive set of measures integral to realizing the goals set out in the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan. These initiatives are designed to support the EU's efforts to meet its environmental and climate objectives, including doubling the rate of material circulation and achieving determined energy efficiency targets by 2030. 

Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation

The  Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is an approach to sustainable design that operates under a framework, allowing specific product rules to be gradually established either individually or for groups of products with similar characteristics. To ensure transparency and public and stakeholders’ awareness of ESPR initiatives, the Commission will periodically adopt and update working plans. These plans will outline the products to be assessed and the measures to be implemented, over a period of at least three years. 

The Regulation (EU) No 2024/1781, effective from 18 July 2024, establishes this framework for eco-design requirements for sustainable products. It includes amendments to Directive (EU) No 2020/1828 and Regulation (EU) No 2023/1542, while repealing Directive 2009/125/EC, and applies to almost all categories of physical goods. This regulatory framework allows for the setting of performance and information criteria, referred to as ‘eco-design requirements’, which are crucial for advancing sustainability goals within the EU. 

Implementation 

The EU's Eco-design Forum is essential in shaping the ESPR, engaging stakeholders in the development of the post-implementation rules with inclusivity at its core. An open call for membership invites broad participation. The Commission will update working plans to ensure transparency, with the first plan set for mid-2025, covering textiles, steel and more. The ESPR aims to harmonize EU standards and align them with global trade rules to promote sustainability. Ongoing efforts support the transition from the Eco-design Directive, enhancing energy efficiency and labelling. Stakeholders are urged to follow updates on the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) for further details on the implementation of the ESPR. 

Essential Dates to Remember 

The key dates to remember for the ESPR are: 

1. Q3 2024: Establishment of the Eco-design Forum and call for membership applications. 

2. Q4 2024: First meeting of the Forum and consultation on draft first ESPR working plan. 

3. Q2 2025: Adoption and publication of the first ESPR working plan.