ESPR came into effect on July 18, 2024. The regulation is an ambitious EU initiative aimed at making environmentally sustainable products the norm in the EU and strengthening Europe’s resource independence. ESPR will replace the current Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) and introduce additional Ecodesign criteria for a wider range of products.
ESPR, LCA, and EPD are Key Sustainability Concepts
The market is flooded with three- and four-letter abbreviations, making it challenging to get an overview and know what actions you as a business leader should take on your journey toward increased sustainability and profitable growth. At LCA.no, we focus on providing user-friendly digital solutions for environmental documentation, with an emphasis on LCA and EPD. These tools document the current status of your products and show you their potential for improvement. They can be used both operationally and strategically. These are essential tools for companies looking to adapt to ESPR in the coming years. Digital tools that can produce verified environmental documentation help streamline previously manual processes and can give your business a competitive edge.
Goal of a Significant Increase in Circularity and Resource Use
To achieve a greater circular economy and better resource utilization, the EU’s strategy is to promote more sustainable business models and strengthen the overall competitiveness of member states. This also requires a shift in businesses and public administration toward a greater proportion of sustainable products.
Currently, there are no specific targets for the various parameters that define sustainable products. These will be implemented later through annual action plans.
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Who is Covered by ESPR?
ESPR targets economic operators across the value chain, including product manufacturers (both within and outside the 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 done on their behalf. Importers must ensure that the products they sell meet compliance requirements and that the CE marking and documentation provided by manufacturers are available for inspection by national authorities. Importers must also ensure, where applicable, that a Digital Product Passport (DPP) is available for these products.
Which Products are Covered by ESPR?
The regulation applies to practically all products in the EU and is not limited to consumer goods. There are only very limited exceptions (e.g., food, feed, pharmaceuticals, certain vehicles subject to harmonized type-approval systems). The implementation of ESPR will follow a prioritization approach according to multi-year work plans from the European Commission.
The EU Has Set an Ambitious Implementation Plan
The EU has established an ambitious timeline for the next two years:
- July 18, 2024: ESPR enters into force
- Q3 2024: Establishment of the Ecodesign Forum
- Q4 2024: First meeting of the Ecodesign Forum
- April 19, 2025: The first working plan is to be approved
- July 19, 2025: Adoption of details and format for publishing information on unsold consumer products
- July 19, 2026: Creation of the digital product passport register
Implementation Will Take Place in 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 describing lists of products and measures to be considered. The first work package is scheduled to be approved on April 19, 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 where Ecodesign requirements will be set for the first time or where existing measures adopted under Directive 2009/125/EC will be revised under ESPR
- Information and communication technology (ICT) products and other electronics
Before it is adopted by the Commission, however, members of the above-mentioned Ecodesign Forum will be consulted, and their views will be taken into account.
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How to Prepare?
Companies marketing products in the EU should start analyzing the impact ESPR will have on their competitive position. What impact will ESPR have on their products? Also, follow the progress of the published ESPR implementation process. Some products will be given higher priority than others, especially textiles, steel, and related value chains. Industry associations and companies can also participate as stakeholders 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 goal of minimizing its negative impact on the environment and society throughout its life cycle. This includes considerations from raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. Sustainable products typically have the following characteristics:
- Energy efficiency: They use less energy during use, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy costs for consumers.
- Durability: They are built to last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing overall resource consumption.
- Repairability: They are designed to be easy to repair, with parts that can be replaced or fixed without discarding the entire product.
- Disassemblability: Components can be easily taken apart, facilitating maintenance, repair, and recycling processes.
- Reduced harmful substances: They contain fewer or no harmful chemicals and substances that may pose risks 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 percentage 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 About ESPR
Below is a list of relevant websites for those who want more information about ESPR and related topics:
- Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
- VIDEO: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation explained
- European Commission web page on sustainable products
- Ecodesign and energy labelling for energy-related products
- European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL)
- Green Deal: New proposals to make sustainable products the norm and boost Europe’s resource independence
- Questions and Answers: Sustainable Products Initiative
You can find more information about LCA and EPD on our website:
Do you want to know more about how LCA and EPD can be used in your business? Do you need verified environmental documentation as input for sustainability reporting?
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