Bildet illustrerer elementene i ESPR

Environmental Sustainable Products Regulation – ESPR – What now? 

ESPR came into force on July 18th, 2024. The regulation is an ambitious EU initiative to make environmentally sustainable products the norm in the EU and strengthen Europe’s resource independence. ESPR will replace the current Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) and introduce more ecodesign criteria for a wider range of products.

ESPR, LCA, and EPD are Central Sustainability Concepts

The market is flooded with three- and four-letter abbreviations, and it can be challenging to get an overview and know what you, as a business leader, should do on the journey towards increased sustainability and profitable growth. At LCA.no, we have concentrated on delivering user-friendly digital solutions for environmental documentation focusing on LCA and EPD. The tools are used to document the current status of your products and show you the potential for improvement. The tools can be used both operationally and strategically. These are important tools for companies that need to adapt to ESPR in the years to come. Digital tools that can produce verified environmental documentation contribute to the streamlining of previously manual processes and can give your business increased competitiveness.

Goal of a Significant Increase in Circularity and Resource Consumption

To achieve a larger circular economy and better resource utilization, the EU has a strategy to promote more sustainable business models and strengthen the overall competitiveness of the member states. This also requires a shift in the business sector and public administration towards a larger share of sustainable products.

Currently, no specific targets have been set for the various parameters that define sustainable products. This will be implemented later through annual action plans.

Who is Covered by ESPR?

ESPR targets economic operators along the value chain, i.e., product manufacturers (both EU and non-EU), EU importers, distributors, retailers (retailers, sellers), and service providers. The regulation applies to both large and small companies.

Manufacturers are responsible for carrying out the applicable compliance procedures or having them carried out on their behalf. Importers must ensure that the products they sell meet the compliance requirements and that the CE marking and documentation prepared by the manufacturers are available for inspection by national authorities. Importers must also ensure, where applicable, that a product passport (DPP) is available for these products.

Which Products are Covered by ESPR?

The regulation applies to virtually all products in the EU and is not limited to consumer goods. There are only very limited exceptions (e.g., food, feed, medicines, certain vehicles subject to harmonized type-approval systems). The implementation of ESPR will follow a prioritization approach, according to multiannual work plans from the EU Commission.

The EU Has Laid Out an Ambitious Implementation Plan

The EU has set an ambitious timetable for the next two years:

July 18th, 2024: ESPR came into force Q3 2024: Establishment of the Ecodesign Forum Q4 2024: First meeting of the Ecodesign Forum April 19th, 2025: First work package to be approved July 19th, 2025: Decide on the details and format for the publication of information on unsold consumer products July 19th, 2026: Creation of a digital product passport register

Implementation Takes Place in the Form of Work Packages

To ensure that the public and stakeholders are well-informed about what is planned under ESPR, the Commission will adopt and regularly update work plans outlining lists of products and measures that will be considered. The first work package is scheduled to be approved on April 19th, 2025. The work plan will cover a minimum period of 3 years.

In the first ESPR work plan, the following product groups are in focus:

  • Iron and steel
  • Aluminum
  • Textiles, especially clothing and footwear
  • Furniture, including mattresses
  • Tires
  • Detergents
  • Paint
  • Lubricants
  • Chemicals
  • Energy-related products for which ecodesign requirements are to be set for the first time or for which existing measures adopted under Directive 2009/125/EC are to be revised under ESPR
  • Information and communication technology (ICT) products and other electronics

Before it is adopted by the Commission, however, members of the aforementioned Ecodesign Forum will be consulted, and their views will be taken into account.

It is important to note that this initial work plan only outlines the product categories targeted. Detailed ecodesign requirements for each category will be published in subsequent documents from the European Commission. These requirements will specify concrete criteria and targets concerning aspects such as material composition, energy efficiency, durability, repairability, recyclability and the presence of hazardous substances. It is crucial for businesses to actively monitor the publication of these detailed requirements to ensure compliance. Further information on specific requirements for each product group will be available on the European Commission’s website and through official channels as they are published.

How to Prepare

Companies marketing products in the EU should start working on analyzing the consequences ESPR will have for the company’s competitive situation. What effect will ESPR have on their products? Also, keep an eye on the progress of the published implementation process of ESPR. Some products will have higher priority than others. This is especially true for products such as textiles, steel, and related value chains. Industry associations and companies can also participate as a stakeholder in the preparation of ecodesign requirements (e.g., in the new Ecodesign Forum) and DPP (e.g., in CIRPASS).

What is a Sustainable Product?

A sustainable product is designed and produced with the aim of minimizing the product’s negative impact on the environment and society throughout its entire life cycle. This includes considerations from raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, and end-of-life management or recycling. Sustainable products typically have the following characteristics:

  • Energy efficiency: They use less energy during use, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lowers energy costs for consumers.
  • Durability: They are built to last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing overall resource consumption.
  • Reparability: They are designed to be easy to repair, with parts that can be replaced or fixed without the entire product having to be discarded.
  • Disassemblability: Components can be easily taken apart, facilitating maintenance, repair, and recycling processes.
  • Reduced hazardous substances: They contain fewer or no harmful chemicals and substances that may pose a risk to health and the environment.
  • Recyclability: They can be easily recycled at the end of their life, reducing waste and the need for new raw materials.
  • Recycled content: They are made from a higher proportion of recycled materials, reducing the demand for virgin resources.
  • Lower carbon and environmental footprint: They have a reduced impact on the environment, including lower carbon emissions and minimal negative effects on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Overall, sustainable products aim to support a circular economy, where products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible, and waste and resource use are minimized.

Sources for More Information on ESPR

Below is a list of relevant websites for those who want more information about ESPR and related topics.

If you want to know more about how LCA and EPD can be used in your business, you can contact us here. Do you need verified environmental documentation as input for sustainability reporting? Read more about LCA and EPD here.