Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

Please welcome ESPR

The arrival of this newcomer is not unexpected, on the contrary it was awaited with great interest. Its all-encompassing scope and the digital product passport are going to have a big impact on everyone in the supply chain down to and including consumers.

ESPR, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2014/1781 is a ‘descendant’ of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The Ecodesign Directive, new Battery Regulation, and Consumer Protective Directive are its direct relatives. And ESPR will very soon mature and have its own 'offspring' in the form of product specific delegated acts and implementing measures with detailed ecodesign and information requirements.

Where the first ecodesign directive covered just the energy efficiency of certain (electrical) products, the new regulation addresses sustainability of “the broadest possible range of  products”. The importance of ESPR is paramount because products have a pivotal role to play in the green transition. Moving from linear production processes and consumption patterns to circular ones. Less waste, less emissions, improve durability, reliability, repairability, upgradability, reusability and recyclability. Refurbish, repair, repurpose. Adding restrictions for hazardous chemicals in products, substances complicating recycling and critical raw materials to the sustainability mix. Changing consumption patterns, empowering consumers with quick access to relevant information via the digital product passport. Prohibited destruction of unsold goods and ‘premature obsolescence’. 

Climate-neutral, resource-efficient, biodiversity and environmental footprint are rapidly becoming the new keywords. High priority to meet climate targets in 2030 and 2050. Closely related to SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production. The ‘birth’ of ESPR is the promising start of a new generation, in many ways.