This regulation, adopted by EU lawmakers in July 2024, empowers the Commission to establish ecodesign criteria that address the entire lifecycle of products, focusing on aspects such as durability, reuse, energy efficiency, and ease of repair and recycling.

The new regulations are expected to be finalized by the end of 2026, marking a significant shift in European policy towards making sustainable products the norm in the EU.

A key innovation in the plan is the establishment of a 'Digital Product Passport,' which will provide consumers and businesses with detailed information about the environmental sustainability of products via QR codes.

The initiative seeks to implement mandatory sustainability requirements for products sold in the EU, enhancing transparency about their environmental impact.

Starting in 2025, manufacturers like Apple and Samsung will be required to display a reparability score on a scale from A to E, alongside energy efficiency ratings, enhancing consumer awareness.

New requirements will also be introduced for the reparability of products, including electronics and small household appliances.

Despite these criticisms, the plan is seen as a strategic step towards achieving the EU's climate and economic goals, promoting cleaner and more efficient value chains in an increasingly sustainability-conscious world.

Details of the new regulations will be finalized through delegated acts, ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are involved in the process.

However, the exclusion of certain product categories, such as footwear, detergents, paints, lubricants, and chemicals, has drawn criticism from sustainability advocates who argue it undermines the potential of the Ecodesign framework.

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has expressed concerns that omitting these categories could weaken the Ecodesign framework's effectiveness, calling for stricter standards to prevent low-quality products from entering the market.

The European Commission has unveiled its working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Energy Labelling Regulation, which aims to enhance product sustainability across the EU from 2025 to 2030.

The Commission has identified priority sectors for these new rules, including steel, aluminum, textiles, furniture, tires, and mattresses, which are deemed crucial for advancing the circular economy.