ESPR – Ecodesign for Sustainable Products
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation)
Overview
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) extends the existing ecodesign framework from energy products to nearly all physical products. It sets requirements for durability, reparability, recyclability, and energy efficiency, and introduces the Digital Product Passport.
Who Is Affected?
The ESPR covers the entire product supply chain:
- Manufacturers of physical products placed on the EU market
- Importers and authorised representatives
- Distributors and online marketplaces
- Particularly affected: textiles, electronics, furniture, construction materials, iron and steel products
Core Obligations
- Ecodesign requirements: Product-specific requirements for durability, reparability, recyclability, and resource efficiency
- Digital Product Passport (DPP): Provision of product-related sustainability information in digital form
- Destruction ban: Prohibition of destruction of unsold goods (initially for textiles and footwear)
- Information obligations: Transparent consumer information on environmental properties
- Conformity: CE marking and conformity assessment
- Green public procurement: Criteria for sustainable public procurement
National Transposition
As an EU regulation, the ESPR applies directly. Specific product requirements will be introduced gradually through delegated acts:
- Germany: Länder market surveillance authorities for enforcement
- Austria: Competent market surveillance authorities
- Switzerland: Not directly affected but relevant for exports to the EU market
Legal Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ESPR?
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation creates a framework for ecodesign requirements for nearly all physical products. It also introduces the Digital Product Passport (DPP).
What is the Digital Product Passport?
A digital record containing information on a product's origin, composition, reparability, recyclability, and environmental impact — accessible via QR code or data carrier.
Which products are affected?
In principle, all physical products on the EU market. Specific requirements are set by product category through delegated acts (e.g. textiles, electronics, furniture, construction materials).