Designing More Sustainable Products: 18 High-Potential Categories Identified by EU’s Joint Research Centre

On 22 November 2024, the EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) published a landmark report evaluating product categories with significant potential for sustainability improvements under the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into force in July 2024. The ESPR (EU Regulation 2024/1781) aims to establish mandatory environmental requirements to make sustainable products the norm throughout the European Union, supporting the transition towards circularity and climate neutrality.

Purpose of the ESPR and JRC Assessment

The ESPR broadens the scope of earlier ecodesign rules by addressing a wide array of products beyond only energy-related items. It sets the stage for future legally binding rules on product design, focusing on reducing waste, improving resource efficiency, and minimizing the ecological footprint across product lifecycles.

To prioritize regulatory efforts, the JRC analyzed 33 product groups against comprehensive environmental and economic criteria, considering:

• Environmental impact and improvement potential across 10 categories (water, air, biodiversity, soil, life-cycle energy use, waste, climate change, human toxicity, material efficiency, and product lifetime extension)
• Strategic autonomy of the EU to reduce dependency on external supply chains and increase circularity
• Existing overlaps with EU policies and associated regulatory costs

Top 18 Product Categories for Ecodesign Focus

The JRC identified 18 product categories with the highest potential for environmental impact reduction and strategic relevance.

Eleven Final Products:

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

Seven Intermediate Products:

• Iron and steel
• Commodity chemicals
• Non-ferrous, non-aluminum metals
• Aluminum
• Plastics and polymers
• Pulp and paper
• Glass

Emphasizing these categories aligns with the EU’s aim to not only reduce environmental burdens but also enhance supply security amid growing consumption pressures exceeding planetary boundaries.

Horizontal Ecodesign Requirements

The report highlights horizontal requirements applicable across multiple product groups, notably:

• Durability and repairability
• Recyclability
• Recycled content

These attributes, particularly durability, were rated highest for their potential to substantially reduce environmental impacts across varied goods like textiles, toys, mattresses, electronics, and transport equipment.

Next Steps for Implementation

The JRC’s findings will guide the first ESPR Working Plan, expected to be adopted by the European Commission in the first half of 2025 after consultation with the Ecodesign Forum and stakeholders. Selected products will undergo detailed feasibility studies before formal regulatory measures are developed.

Broader Context and Impact

The ESPR builds upon the success of the 2009 Ecodesign Directive but represents a significant step forward by:

• Covering nearly all product categories
• Embedding circular economy principles into product policy
• Supporting the EU’s strategic goal of climate neutrality and a resilient net-zero industry

By identifying key product priorities, the JRC report contributes to a roadmap that could transform European markets toward sustainability, reduce environmental pressures, and foster economic competitiveness.

Further Information

• Report: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation: Study on new product priorities (JRC, Nov 2024)
• Public Consultation: Completed in 2023 with stakeholder contributions integrated into final analysis
• Regulation Details: EU Regulation 2024/1781 (ESPR)

This research epitomizes the EU’s commitment to delivering measurable environmental improvements through smart regulation and product innovation, a crucial pathway to safeguarding planetary boundaries and promoting sustainable consumption in Europe.

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