Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation



Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

Table of Contents

What is the ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation)?

The aim of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) initiative is to make products sold in the EU more sustainable by requiring them to meet certain ecodesign requirements. This initiative is also introducing consumer information requirements within the framework of the Digital Product Passport.

The ESPR Regulation will establish by 2024 the new Ecodesign requirements relating to the Reparability Index, the recycled content in products and the limitations on the use of Raw Materials Criticisms, all probably also reported in a Digital Product Passport (DPP).

The objective of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation is to make sustainable
products the norm on the EU market and reduce their overall environmental and climate impacts.

The goal is to create a market for more sustainable products based on pillars like: sustainable product design, empowering customers, and promoting circularity in production processes.

4 Regulation Key Points:

Ecodesign Framework

The ecodesign requirements must be adapted to the product category concerned and must consider all stages of the product’s life cycle. They should improve the following aspects of the product:

Digital Product Passport Labels

The Digital Product Passport will be mandatory for all products affected by delegated acts under this regulation. The purpose of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is to provide consumers with easy access to a centralized bank of information about a product. For example, this can be done via a QR code or barcode on the product. 

The Digital Product Passport will be an easily accessible tag on products that will give instant access to information on the product’s sustainability. It will be useful not only for consumers but also for customs and market surveillance authorities.

DPP Parameters: The characteristics of this DPP will be detailed in these delegated acts:

The DPP shall meet the following requirements:  

Destruction of Unsold Consumer Products

The Commission holds the authority to implement delegated acts aimed at preventing the destruction of unsold consumer products in specific categories, particularly when such destruction poses a notable environmental risk. Within the framework of these acts, exceptions to this rule may be made in cases where the destruction is necessitated by health and safety concerns, or if the products in question have been declined by charitable organizations. In these exceptional circumstances, it remains mandatory for economic operators to disclose information pertaining to the product destruction to the public.

These prohibitive measures and the requirement for disclosure are generally not applicable to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), except in instances where evidence indicates that these enterprises contribute significantly to the destruction of unsold consumer products.

Responsibility and Implementation

Definition of the role and responsibilities of the different actors:

Conformity Assessment and Declaration

Conformity Assessment: The Commission is tasked with establishing precise, reliable, and repeatable methods to evaluate whether products meet the ecodesign requirements. Upon successfully passing the evaluation, products will be accompanied by an official EU declaration of conformity. 

EU Declaration of Conformity: All products subject to delegated acts are required to obtain an EU declaration of conformity. This declaration confirms that the products comply with the ecodesign requirements stipulated in the relevant acts. Independent and expert conformity assessment bodies, appointed by notifying authorities, are responsible for conducting these assessments. The Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among the bodies notified under this regulation.

Consequences

The responsibility rests with the Member States to formulate and enforce sanctions that are effective, proportionate, and strong enough to deter economic operators from violating this regulation.

These sanctions serve as a safeguard for consumers, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the product information they receive.

The severity of these sanctions is carefully calibrated to reflect the degree of non-compliance and the volume of non-compliant products introduced into the market. This approach ensures that the penalties are fair and commensurate with the level of infringement.

How can we help you

Traceability Platform

Traceability is crucial for brands aiming to stay proactive and maintain a comprehensive understanding of their product’s composition and environmental impact. 

By initiating data collection and establishing strong communication channels with suppliers, brands can gain a significant edge. Our platform facilitates a collaborative environment for brands and suppliers to jointly manage supply chain data.

This collaboration enables the digital mapping of all suppliers and the traceability of all materials and process involved in manufacturing a specific garment, thereby streamlining the communication process for gathering vital product-level information required for the Digital Product Passport.

For brands that have to consolidate their traceability data yet, now is the opportune time to centralize this information.

This proactive step will align brands with forthcoming ecodesign regulations and meet evolving consumer demands for transparency. Book a call with our expert to explore ways to enhance your brand’s traceability strategies and stay ahead in the market.

Book a call with us here: BOOK A CALL

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