Designing More Sustainable Products: 18 High-Potential Categories Identified by JRC

On November 22, 2024, the EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) released a pivotal report assessing product categories for environmental regulation under the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This groundbreaking legislation, effective from July 2024 (EU Regulation 2024/1781), aims to mainstream sustainability across almost all product groups in the EU market, enhancing environmental and market sustainability.

Overview of the ESPR and JRC’s Assessment

The ESPR expands the scope of previous ecodesign rules—most notably the 2009 Ecodesign Directive—beyond energy-related products to encompass a wide range of goods throughout their entire lifecycle. Its core objective is to set mandatory environmental requirements either individually for specific products or across groups sharing similar features. The regulation prioritizes durability, recyclability, and circularity to significantly reduce waste and conserve resources.

To support ESPR’s effectiveness, the JRC evaluated 33 product categories, analyzing environmental impacts, potential for improvement, economic relevance, policy coverage, and how each product could enhance EU strategic autonomy by reducing supply chain dependencies. This comprehensive assessment categorized products by their environmental footprint and feasibility for regulation.

18 Product Groups with High Potential

The JRC report highlights 18 product groups—a mix of 11 final products and 7 intermediate products—where ESPR regulation can deliver substantial environmental benefits and strengthen EU security of supply.

Final Products (11 categories)

• Textiles and footwear
• Furniture
• Tyres
• Bed mattresses
• Detergents
• Paints and varnishes
• Lubricants
• Cosmetics
• Toys
• Fishing gear
• Absorbent hygiene products

Intermediate Products (7 categories)

• Iron and steel
• Commodity chemicals
• Non-ferrous, non-aluminium metal products
• Aluminium
• Plastics and polymers
• Pulp and paper
• Glass

Criteria for Sustainability and Impact

JRC scientists evaluated products across 10 environmental impact categories, including:

• Water, air, soil, and biodiversity
• Life-cycle energy consumption
• Waste generation and management
• Climate change contributions
• Human toxicity
• Material efficiency
• Product lifetime extension

They also benchmarked against the Consumption Footprint (measuring EU citizens’ environmental impacts) and planetary boundaries—the Earth’s sustainable limits—confirming these products contribute significantly to environmental pressures and offer high improvement potential.

Horizontal Ecodesign Requirements

The ESPR allows “horizontal” rules applicable across multiple product categories sharing common sustainability needs. Key requirements prioritized include:

• Durability and repairability (greatest environmental impact reduction potential)
• Recyclability
• Use of recycled content

Applying these across diverse sectors like textiles, footwear, toys, and electronics can streamline progress towards circular, resource-efficient product design.

Next Steps and Impact

The JRC’s recommendations, refined after a 2023 public consultation, will inform the first ESPR Working Plan, expected in early 2025. The European Commission will further study the feasibility of detailed rules and consult stakeholders before final inclusion.

Ultimately, the ESPR supports the EU’s Green Deal ambitions by promoting sustainable product design, reducing waste, and enhancing the competitiveness of Europe’s net-zero industry. It represents a transformative step toward a circular economy that respects planetary limits while bolstering economic resilience.

For Further Reading

• JRC Report: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation: Study on new product priorities
• Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU Regulation 2024/1781)
• Public consultation insights on new product priorities

By focusing regulatory efforts on these 18 key product categories and horizontal sustainability criteria, the EU is set to drive powerful environmental improvements and advance a circular, sustainable market ecosystem. This initiative marks a vital milestone in designing products that respect both people and the planet.

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