EU Ecodesign Regulation

Country / jurisdiction: European Union · Year: 2024 · Status: In force · Level: International · Type: Voluntary

The European Union's Regulation 2024/1781 (ESPR) establishes requirements for product sustainability in the EU market. The regulation focuses on product lifecycle transparency, resource efficiency, and environmental impact reduction, with the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as a primary implementation tool, while maintaining compliance with international trade rules.

The Digital Product Passport is an electronic system that will track products throughout their lifecycle. Manufacturers must provide information about their products' composition, repair requirements, and environmental impact. The DPP includes a unique product identifier, information about materials and substances used, repair and maintenance instructions, dismantling and recycling guidance, and environmental impact data. The system operates through a data carrier such as a QR code, with tiered access rights for different stakeholders. The DPP requires data accuracy and must remain available throughout the product's expected lifetime, with backup through third-party service providers. The system is designed to enable cross-border trade and ensure interoperability across markets.

The regulation requires tracking of material content, documentation of recycled content, and protocols for material recovery, with the first working plan including iron and steel, aluminium, textiles (particularly garments and footwear), furniture (including mattresses), tyres, detergents, paints, lubricants, chemicals, and information and communication technology products and other electronics. These requirements apply equally to EU-produced goods and imports from third countries.

For recycling, the regulation requires products to be designed for end-of-life management. Products must allow for disassembly, material sorting, and material recovery. Manufacturers must provide dismantling instructions, end-of-life handling procedures, and recycled content data. These requirements aim to increase recycling rates and recycled material use.

The regulation takes effect from July 2024, with implementation phased across product groups. A registry for the Digital Product Passport system will be established by July 2026. The regulation includes provisions for SMEs. Market surveillance authorities and customs officials will verify compliance through DPP data access. The regulation specifies penalties for non-compliance and requires conformity assessment procedures.

While batteries are not directly regulated under this legislation, the regulation requires battery manufacturers to upload unique identifiers to the DPP registry, connecting this system to the existing EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542).

The Commission must consider international trade impacts when setting requirements, including assessment of effects on third countries and performance of products in international markets. The technical specifications for the Digital Product Passport are developed in dialogue with international partners to avoid creating trade barriers while advancing sustainability objectives.

Official source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1781&qid=1719580391746