Advancing Sustainability Through the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

The European Union is making significant strides towards sustainability with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This innovative framework aims to transform the single market by elevating product sustainability, reducing energy consumption, and fostering a circular economy across Member States.

The Ecodesign Forum: Central to ESPR Implementation

On 19-20 February 2025, the first meeting of the Ecodesign Forum took place in Brussels, marking a crucial step in the ESPR’s rollout. This expert group of nearly 130 members—comprising representatives from EU Member States, industry, NGOs, and academia—serves as an open consultation platform to ensure transparency and wide stakeholder engagement.

Members were carefully selected based on expertise and representation across priority product sectors, with efforts to maintain cross-sector balance. Importantly, applications for Forum membership remain open, maintaining an evolving and inclusive group.

Key Objectives and Priorities

The ESPR seeks to:

• Harmonize ecodesign and energy labelling standards across the EU for a level playing field,
• Encourage sustainable innovation and industrial competitiveness,
• Support consumer awareness through improved environmental information,
• Implement circular economy principles by reducing waste and promoting recyclability.

The Forum’s first working plan, to be debated and finalized by April 2025, will focus on priority products including textiles (apparel), furniture, steel, aluminium, tyres, and energy-related products. Two horizontal measures addressing repairability and recyclability of electrical and electronic equipment are also proposed.

Tackling Unsold Consumer Products

An innovative aspect of the ESPR is the development of delegated and implementing acts to regulate the destruction of unsold consumer goods, particularly apparel and footwear. These acts will stipulate exemptions from the destruction ban and standardize disclosure requirements for businesses.

Future Outlook and Stakeholder Engagement

Following the first working plan, the EU Commission plans to adopt additional ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for products with significant environmental impact. These rules will be informed by thorough studies and impact assessments, designed to be fair and proportionate for all stakeholders including SMEs.

Additionally, mandatory Green Public Procurement criteria may be introduced to stimulate market demand for sustainable products.

Voices from Leadership

Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, emphasized:

“The ESPR is not just a regulatory framework—it is a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.”

Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné highlighted:

“By gathering stakeholders, we ensure practical measures to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and drive the circular economy.”

Resources and Further Information

• Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – EUR-Lex
• First Ecodesign Forum Agenda
• Register of Commission Expert Groups

This landmark effort by the EU Directorate-General for Environment reinforces the bloc’s leadership in sustainable product policy, aiming for a greener, more competitive, and circular economy benefiting consumers, businesses, and the planet alike.

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