Preparing for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): WBCSD’s Readiness Assessment Tool

On April 16, 2025, the European Commission adopted the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2025–2030, setting priority product groups and policy directions under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This regulation represents a transformational move to make sustainable products the standard across the European Union.

What is the ESPR?

The ESPR aims to establish mandatory sustainability requirements related to product aspects such as durability, reparability, and recyclability. Upcoming Delegated Acts will specify these requirements, positioning the regulation as a gamechanger in product design and lifecycle management within the EU market.

WBCSD’s Readiness Assessment Tool

To help companies prepare for compliance, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), in collaboration with ERM, has developed a Readiness Assessment Tool. This Excel-based tool allows businesses to:

• Evaluate the availability of critical product information according to ESPR’s Articles 6 and 7.
• Break down requirements by product aspects (Article 5(1)) and lifecycle stages.
• Identify information gaps and highlight areas needing early action before full regulation enforcement.
• Receive a high-level readiness assessment that supports proactive compliance efforts, including Digital Product Passport (DPP) obligations.

Future versions will enable filtering by product or product group in line with forthcoming Delegated Acts, increasing the tool’s precision and usability.

Advancing Circularity Data Exchange

WBCSD is extending this initiative through the Circularity Data Exchange (CDX) platform, aiming to facilitate better access and sharing of circularity data. This supports companies in meeting ESPR requirements efficiently and promotes transparency in sustainability reporting.

Access and Support

The Readiness Assessment Tool can be downloaded directly from WBCSD’s resource hub. For questions or assistance, contact:

• vandoorne@wbcsd.org
• garin@wbcsd.org

Related Resources

• Packaging Data Exchange – Towards a Global Data Standard (March 27, 2025)
• Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) Enabling Solutions Guide (March 13, 2025)
• Building a Plastics Protocol for Corporate Plastics Disclosure (November 3, 2023)

Why It Matters

The ESPR and related tools like WBCSD’s assessment aid companies in embedding sustainability into product design and strategy—strengthening business resilience and contributing to the circular economy. This preparation is crucial given tightening sustainability policies and increasing regulatory demands in global markets.

Stay ahead of evolving sustainability regulations by leveraging practical tools designed for clear compliance pathways with the EU’s ambitious Ecodesign measures.

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.