Eight Key Aspects of the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), effective from 18 July 2024, is a pivotal part of the European Green Deal aiming to embed sustainability and circular economy principles into product design, production, and supply chains. This regulation introduces rigorous requirements that will impact a broad array of industries, including electronics, fashion, textiles, furniture, batteries, and construction materials like iron, steel, and aluminium.

1. Broad Product Coverage

The ESPR applies to almost all physical goods placed on the EU market or put into service, including components and intermediate products. Exemptions exist for certain categories such as food, feed, and medicinal products. Sectors with significant carbon footprints and environmental impacts—textiles, electronics, automotive, batteries, furniture, packaging, and construction—face substantial regulatory demands.

2. Framework for Ecodesign Requirements

Rather than setting detailed rules itself, the ESPR provides a general framework empowering the European Commission to adopt delegated acts. These acts will specify sustainability criteria such as durability, recyclability, repairability, and energy efficiency for targeted product groups. This approach enables dynamic adaptation of requirements as regulatory and technological contexts evolve.

3. Digital Product Passport (DPP) Requirements

Certain products will require a Digital Product Passport (DPP) to enter the EU market. The DPP registry, managed by the Commission, provides standardized, accessible data on product composition, reparability, availability of spare parts, and disposal instructions. These passports aim to improve transparency and facilitate sustainable consumer choices and supply chain management.

4. Prohibition of Destruction of Unsold Products

Starting July 2026, the ESPR prohibits destruction of certain unsold consumer goods, initially targeting the textile sector. Economic operators must take preventive measures and disclose data on destroyed products, enabling regulatory authorities to potentially expand restrictions to other product categories, with electronic devices anticipated as early additions.

5. Impact Across the Value Chain

ESPR obligations encompass manufacturers, importers, distributors, dealers, service providers, and online marketplace operators. Responsibilities include compliance verification, technical documentation, product labeling, customer communication, corrective actions (recalls or withdrawals), and cooperation with market surveillance authorities. Importers and distributors are treated as manufacturers when branding or modifying products.

6. Monitoring and Reporting

To support enforcement and policy review, supply chain actors must report product quantities and certain in-use data such as energy consumption to the Commission. While maintaining effective surveillance, the ESPR aims to minimize administrative burdens, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by focusing on non-personal data pertinent to evaluating ecodesign efficacy.

7. Cooperation and Verification Obligations

Supply chain participants must provide relevant product information upon request by manufacturers, notified bodies, or national authorities. They must facilitate information verification processes, enabling comprehensive compliance assessments and supporting market surveillance activities.

8. Enforcement and Liability

Member States are required to implement market surveillance strategies including physical and laboratory checks to ensure compliance. The ESPR contemplates both public enforcement mechanisms and civil liability risks, underscoring the importance for companies to adopt robust compliance frameworks to mitigate legal and reputational risks.

Conclusion

The ESPR marks a transformative regulatory shift aimed at embedding sustainability into product lifecycles within the EU market. Companies across affected sectors should proactively prepare for the new obligations on product design, transparency, and supply chain accountability. Early compliance will be critical to navigating this evolving landscape and seizing opportunities to lead in sustainable product innovation.

For detailed legal insights and compliance strategies, consult official publications and specialized legal advisories familiar with ESPR developments.

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.