The EU's new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) aims to make products more environmentally friendly throughout their life cycle. It sets stricter ecodesign requirements for a wider range of products compared to the previous regulation. This will not only reduce environmental impact but also create a level playing field for businesses in the EU and potentially set global standards for sustainability.
The European Union is taking a big step towards a greener future with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This regulation aims to reduce the environmental impacts of products and improve the functioning of the internal EU market.
Previously, varying national regulations created inconsistencies in the requirements for product sustainability, so to achieve broader impact, the ESPR establishes uniform sustainability standards. These standards ensure products sold in the EU minimize their environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle, from resource extraction to disposal. Creating a level playing field for businesses that prioritize sustainability.
In simpler terms, the ESPR leverages the EU's massive market power and aims to set global standards for product sustainability. It does so by creating a framework and sustainability requirements that products placed on the EU market will have to follow.
To achieve these sustainability goals the ESPR expands on the earlier Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/E. While that Directive focused mainly on energy-related products, the ESPR will cover a wider range of products, from textiles to electronics and creates stricter sustainability standards
The ESPR includes:
The ESPR applies to almost all physical products that are placed on the EU market or put into service. Some product categories are exempt when ecodesign criteria are impractical or covered by other regulations such as medical products and food.
All economic operators, such as manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers that introduce products on the EU market are subjected to the obligations of the ESPR.
Almost every physical product in the EU (think clothes, furniture, electronics) needs to follow these new eco-friendly rules. There are some exceptions, like for food and medicine, because making special ecodesign requirements wouldn't make sense for those products, or they're already covered by other laws.
These eco-friendly rules apply to everyone who brings these products to Europe to sell, not just the makers. This includes companies that import, sell, or service these products.
The ESPR provides the legal basis for setting the ecodesign requirements, however these requirements will vary per product category. In the delegated acts, the specific requirements per product category will be outlined, these are still under development and will be published by January 2026.
However, there is a lot that we know today. First, product categories with a significant environmental impact will be prioritized. Textiles are a key focus area of the European union and will for sure be in scope for the first release of the ESPR
The ESPR, the foundation for setting ecodesign rules, will provide any and every textile product in the EU with a Digital Product Passport. As mentioned before, the exact requirements will follow in Q1 2026. But here is the information that is currently available.
Products placed on the EU market will need to follow ecodesign requirements addressing (the 9Ps):
Selected product categories will need a Digital Product Passport (DPP). This is basically a digital record containing key information about the product's entire lifespan. The purpose of a Digital Product Passport is to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability throughout its lifecycle and support the principles of the circular economy.
The ESPR requires a DPP to follow these criteria:
Rules to reduce waste are introduced by the ESPR, meaning that businesses will have to be more open about what happens to products they can’t sell.
They will be required to make this information publicly available and disclose on:
The EU commission will adopt specific regulations on how this information has to be precisely presented, checked and verified and has the power to introduce laws to stop the destruction of unsold products.
The ESPR sets Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria for products and services that are being bought by governments and public institutions. By mandating GPP criteria, the ESPR ensures environmental factors are taken into account alongside price when governments buy certain goods and services. This shift towards GPP has a ripple effect: increased demand for sustainable products incentivizes businesses to invest in eco-friendly options, ultimately accelerating a greener economy.
On April 23, 2024 the EU Parliament officially adopted the ESPR and the final approval of the EU council has come into effect. After this, the delegated acts laying out the specific requirements per product category will be developed. Product categories such as textiles are prioritized.
Note: This table includes both past and upcoming deadlines. Upcoming dates that are shaded indicate the expected timeline, but these are subject to change. Please refer to EU Parliament resources for any changes.
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