ESPR – Read Everything You Need to Know
Written by Jenni Tähtinen
Huld Leader
ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) entered into force on 18.7.2024. Read this blog to summarize everything you need to know about ESPR.
ESPR is a binding framework legislation that defines requirements for the eco-design of sustainable products. The requirements will be further specified, as the European Commission will decide on the specific requirements for products and product groups in stages.
Although more detailed requirements are under work, it’s beneficial to take the regulation into account in product development already. If you find it challenging, don’t worry – Huld’s experts are here to help!
ESPR – What Is It About?
ESPR aims to significantly improve the circular economy, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency of products. The legislative amendment is based on the EU’s environmental and climate objectives.
ESPR’s key objectives for a sustainable product:
- Consumes less energy
- Longer lifespan
- Is easily repairable
- The parts are easy to disassemble and can be reused
- Contains less harmful substances
- Is easily recyclable
- Contains more recycled materials
- Reduced carbon and environmental footprint over lifetime
What Will Change?
The regulation replaces the previous Ecodesign Directive. It will apply to almost all physical products and components placed on the market or taken into use in the EU.
In the future, the regulation will, for example, introduce a Digital Product Passport (DPP). It also takes a stand on the environmental sustainability of public procurement and affects the disposal of unsold consumer products.
Main changes:
- Much wider scope
- More thorough consideration of sustainability and circular economy
- Digital Product Passport for Products
- Notification of conformity assessment bodies and requirements for notified bodies
- Non-disposal of unsold consumer products and information requirements
Who Is Affected by ESPR?
ESPR will cover all physical products and components, excluding products related to defense and national security, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, food products, and animal products. In addition to physical products, the regulation will also apply to digital applications and software that are an integral part of a physical product, such as smartwatches.
As stated, more detailed product and product group requirements will be published in accordance with the work plans issued by the European Commission. The detailed requirements of the first work plan will be published in July 2025 at the earliest and will cover:
- Materials, such as iron, steel, aluminum, textiles
- Furniture
- Wheels
- Chemicals, paints, detergents and cleaning products, lubricants
- Energy-related products
- ICT products and other electronics
For product requirements, the ESPR applies to:
- Manufacturers
- Product designers
- Importers
- Distributors and intermediaries
With the digital product passport, the regulation will have a wider impact. The digital product passport aims to guide both consumers and other parties in the value chain to make sustainable use of product information. In addition to the above, users of the product passport include, for example, customers, end users, repairers, researchers, and customs authorities.
What Happens If I Don’t Comply?
Compliance with the regulation is monitored by market surveillance. These may include, for example, physical product testing, laboratory tests or reviewing reports and studies.
EU Member States are obliged to impose sanctions if the regulation is breached. Sanctions may include, for example, fines and temporary exclusion from public procurement procedures.
How to Get to Grips with the NIS2 Directive?
Tips from Huld’s experts:
- Be aware! Stay on top of what’s going on by following the EU briefings.
- Adopt a sustainable product development mindset. Sustainability is more profitable than consumption.
- Take a closer look at ESPR’s product features so you can consider them in your product design.
- Assess whether your product has been designed according to the settings and whether the necessary documentation has already been done.
- If you have any doubts, contact a Huld expert and review your business from this perspective.
- Prepare early. Although the adoption and implementation of delegated acts will still take some time, ESPR should be taken into account in your product development projects now.
What Happens Next?
The European Commission needs experts and stakeholders to help prepare the delegated acts. For this, the Commission will establish an EcoDesign Forum at the end of 2024, when invitations to applications for membership will also open.
The first delegated act concerning the products of the first working plan may be published no earlier than July 2025. This legislation will also give direction to the requirements of future work plans.
Huld Is Here for You!
Huld is a technology house focused on product development. Our product design experts are experienced with the product features mentioned by ESPR in their daily work.
Huld’s experienced team is ready to help you prepare for future requirements. Let’s ensure your products continue to thrive in Finland and across the entire EU market for years to come!