The European Commission Announces the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation Proposal
On March 30, 2022, the European Commission released a proposal for a new regulation called “Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR)“. This proposal expands on the existing Ecodesign Directive, which currently only covers products related to energy. The goal is to establish rules that make various products more circular, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.
The current Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC has a long track record of delivering benefits to businesses, consumers and the environment. In 2021 alone, the impact of the current ecodesign measures, covering 31 product groups, saved EUR 120 billion in energy expenditure for EU consumers and led to a 10% lower annual energy consumption by the products in scope.
This is big step forward towards the European Commission’s efforts to make products more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and circular. They believe that by updating the current Ecodesign Directive, the European Commission is taking an important step towards making Europe more sustainable and climate-friendly.
It is hoped the regulation will strengthen the internal market and avoid confusion among different product groups. While also stressing the importance of harmonizing ecodesign requirements to focus on the most significant environmental impacts. And, lastly, the regulation seeks to make the Digital Product Passport (DPP) dynamic, verifiable, and enforceable to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and climate-friendly economy and society.
