What is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)?

On June 28th, 2024, the European Union (EU) marked a significant milestone in its quest to enhance product sustainability and accelerate the transition towards a circular economy by publishing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). 

This groundbreaking regulation introduces stringent sustainability, or “climate-positive design,” requirements for all products sold on the EU market, including the mandatory inclusion of a Digital Product Passport, which will provide publicly accessible sustainability information. 

Although the exact date for the ESPR’s enforcement is yet to be confirmed, companies are strongly encouraged to begin aligning their sustainability strategies with the regulation’s guidelines based on the information currently available. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about the ESPR.

Overview of the regulation

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a proposed regulation by the EU. It strives to make products more sustainable throughout their entire life cycle. 

Below are some of the key objectives of the ESPR:

• Product design for sustainability: The objective of the regulation is to ensure that products are designed with sustainability in mind from the outset. This spans requirements for durability, recyclability, repairability, and resource efficiency. Within this goal, products must be designed to have a lower environmental impact, longer life spans, and easier disassembly for recycling. 

• Transition to a circular economy: The ESPR supports the EU’s broader goals of moving away from a linear economy and transitioning to a circular economy. By encouraging the design of products that can be refurbished, recycled, or reused, the regulation strives to curb waste and encourage the efficient use of resources. 

• Digital Product Passport: A key initiative of the ESPR is the introduction of a Digital Product Passport. This passport will provide information about a product’s sustainability, from its composition to environmental impact, and instructions for recycling and repair. The aim behind this is to improve transparency and allow consumers to make more informed decisions. 

• Expanding the scope: The ESPR expands the scope of its predecessor, the Ecodesign Directive. It applies to a broad range of products, from furniture to textiles, construction materials, and electronics. 

• Mandatory sustainability criteria for products: This regulation introduces mandatory sustainability criteria for products sold within the EU market. These criteria cover aspects like restrictions on hazardous substances, requirements for energy and resource efficiency, and the use of recycled materials. 

• Emphasising Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The ESPR emphasises Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), meaning that manufacturers will be more accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including end-of-life management. This drives producers to design products that are easier to recycle, repair, and disassemble. 

History and context

The origins of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) can be traced back to the Ecodesign Directive, which was adopted by the EU in 2015. The primary focus of this Directive was to establish a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (ErPs), like household appliances, electronics, and industrial equipment. This Directive aimed to enhance the energy efficiency of products, thereby reducing their environmental impact throughout their life cycle. 

Over time, it became apparent that focusing solely on energy efficiency was insufficient to address the broader environmental challenges associated with product design. For example, waste generation, resource use, and the overall ecological footprint of products. This realisation sparked discussions about expanding the scope of the Ecodesign Directive to include a wider range of sustainability aspects. Building on the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission began to develop the ESPR. 

Who is affected by the ESPR?

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) affects a multitude of stakeholders across various sectors. Below is an overview of some of the main professionals who will be impacted by the regulation:

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of products sold within the EU are directly affected by the ESPR. They must comply with the new ecodesign requirements that cover various aspects of product sustainability. 

These include durability, recyclability, reparability, and the use of recycled materials. Manufacturers will also need to innovate and adapt their product designs to meet these new standards. This could involve redesigning products, sourcing green materials, and ensuring products can be easily repaired and recycled at the end of their life cycle. 

Importers and distributors

Importers and distributors of products into the EU market are also impacted by the ESPR. They have to make sure the products they import or distribute comply with the new requirements too. 

Non-compliance for them will result in penalties or restricted market access. Moreover, importers and distributors will need to work closely with their suppliers to confirm the products meet the required standards. This could entail stricter supply chain management and verification processes. 

Retailers

Retailers, particularly those operating within the EU, will only be able to sell products that comply with the ESPR. This could involve re-evaluating their inventory and working with suppliers to stock compliant products. With the arrival of the Digital Product Passport, retailers will also need to provide more detailed information to consumers regarding the sustainability attributes of their products. 

Waste management and recycling companies

Companies involved in waste management and recycling will be affected by the ESPR as it increases the emphasis on recyclability and material recovery. They may witness increased demand for recycling services and have to invest in new technologies and processes to handle the products designed under the new regulation. 

Repair, maintenance, and refurbishment service providers

Service providers operating within repair, maintenance, and refurbishment will likely see an increased demand as products are created to be more durable and repairable. This sector could experience substantial growth given that the ESPR encourages extending the lifespan of products. With this in mind, there may be a need for increased training and upskilling to handle new kinds of products and technologies that are created with sustainability in mind. 

Requirements under the new regulation 

Below is a snapshot of some of the requirements under the ESPR. 

• Durability and longevity: Products must be designed to last longer, with an emphasis on durability. This includes requirements for resistance to wear and tear, as well as maintaining functionality over an extended period.

• Repairability and upgradability: Products must be designed for easy repair, with components that can be easily replaced or upgraded. This includes making spare parts and repair information available to consumers and repair professionals. Additionally, where applicable, products should feature a modular design, allowing components to be individually upgraded or replaced to extend the product’s useful life.

• Recyclability and resource efficiency: Products must prioritise the use of recycled or renewable materials. The design should facilitate easy disassembly and recycling at the end of the product’s life. Manufacturers will also be required to minimise waste during production, as well as in the product’s end-of-life phase, by ensuring that materials can be effectively recovered and reused.

• Reduction of hazardous substances: Products must comply with stringent restrictions on the use of hazardous substances, reducing the environmental and health impacts of these materials throughout the product life cycle.

• Energy and resource efficiency: Products must meet high standards for energy efficiency, both in use and in the production process. This includes minimising energy consumption during the product’s operational phase. On top of that, the ESPR focuses on the efficient use of resources, including water and raw materials, throughout the product’s life cycle. 

• Innovation and continuous improvement: The ESPR encourages continuous innovation in sustainable product design and manufacturing. Companies are expected to invest in research and development to meet evolving sustainability standards.

• Circular business models: The ESPR encourages the adoption of circular business models, such as leasing, repair services, and product-as-a-service (PaaS) models, where companies retain ownership and responsibility for the product throughout its life cycle.

Conclusion 

As the EU pushes forward with its ambitious sustainability goals, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation stands out as a critical tool in transforming how products are designed, manufactured, and managed throughout their life cycle. It also represents an opportunity for retailers to inspire sustainable behavioural change among consumers.

This regulation presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses, requiring them to adapt and innovate in response to new sustainability criteria. As the ESPR comes into effect, it will play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient economy, benefitting not just the environment but also consumers and industry stakeholders across Europe. 

To equip yourself or your team with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the changes introduced by the ESPR effectively, consider enrolling in our Circular Economy and Sustainable Products Certificate course. This course will provide you with the expertise to turn regulatory requirements into strategic advantages, ensuring your business is at the forefront of sustainable innovation.