In June 2024, the Commission published Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on ecodesign requirements for sustainable products that enters in force today, 18 July 2024.
This Regulation applies to all physical products in the European Union, with very few exclusions, namely food, medicinal products, veterinary medicinal products, living plants, animals, and micro-organisms, human origin products, products of plants and animals relating directly to their future reproduction, and vehicles.
Ecodesign requirements aim at making products fit for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient, and circular economy. The major measures adopted would support waste reduction, align consumption patterns with the overall sustainability goals, and ensure that the frontrunners’ performance in sustainability becomes the norm.
What are ecodesign requirements?
Ecodesign requirements are provisions set to improve the following product’s aspects:
- Durability, reliability, reusability, upgradability, repairability, recyclability
- Possibility of maintenance and refurbishment
- Presence of substances of concern
- Energy use and energy efficiency
- Water use and water efficiency
- Resource use and resource efficiency
- Recycled content
- Remanufacturing possibility
- Recovery of materials possibility
- Environmental impacts, including carbon footprint and environmental footprint
- Expected waste generation
The Commission sets ecodesign requirements for specific product groups through delegated acts. In the publications of such acts, higher priority should be given to energy-related products as well as steel, aluminium, textiles (in particular, garments and footwear), furniture (including mattress), tyres, detergents, paints, lubricants, chemicals, information and technology products and other electronics.
Digital product passport and ban on destroying unsold products
The introduction of the digital product passport and a ban on unsold products’ destruction are some of the most interesting novelties of this Regulation on ecodesign requirements. Essentially, the digital product passport (DPP), introduced also by the new Toys Regulation, is a product specific tool to make information available to actors along the value chain and enhance end-to-end traceability. In addition, the DPP can include information on product’s technical performance, materials, reparability options, environmental impacts, and similar.
The prohibition to destroy unsold goods is a key measure adopted to reduce waste. From 19 July 2026, products listed in Annex VII cannot be destroyed. This ban does not apply to micro and small enterprises, while it applies to medium-sized enterprises from 19 July 2030. Currently, Annex VII includes apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear.
Timelines: deadlines and exemptions
The Regulation’s publication date is 28 June 2024 and its entry into force is 20 days thereafter (18 July 2024), repealing Directive 2009/125/EC. The new Regulation will apply from 18 July 2026 and the first delegated act will not enter into force before 19 July 2025. Certain provisions do not apply to micro and small enterprises.
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