Ecodesign Laws

🌱 What is the aim? On 20 June 2025, new rules on ecodesign and energy labelling came into force in the EU. The new rules apply to tablets, smartphones, and other cordless phones. The aim of the measures put in place is “to boost the product lifespan, energy efficiency, and ease of repair”. Addition

🌱 What is the regulation’s aim? The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) has been in force in the EU since 18 July 2024. The regulation aims to make products on the EU market “more environmentally sustainable and circular”. The goal is to “improve the circularity, energy performance

🌱 How do products impact the environment? The mass consumption of products is considered “a major cause of climate change and pollution”. Products can, however, be produced in more sustainable ways. According to the European Commission, a product could be considered more sustainable if it, for exam

🌱 What does the regulation entail? The Ecodesign Regulation aims to “improve EU products’ circularity, energy performance and other environmental sustainability aspects”. On 16 June 2023, the European Parliament and Council approved revisions to the regulation that will make “devices more energy ef

🌱 Why was the ESPR passed? The ESPR was adopted in July 2024. It aims to make it easier for consumers to buy more sustainable and energy efficient products, by improving the energy performance, durability, recyclability and circularity of products placed on the EU market. Alongside this, the regula

🌱 Are USB-C chargers mandatory in the EU? Under the EU's Common Charger Directive, charging ports for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices have been standardized in the EU. This concretely means that, as of 28 December 2024, all new devices sold in the EU must support USB-C charging.

🌱 What is the EU’s aim? As the previous voluntary approach did not have the effect the EU had hoped for, the Commission created new legislation on chargers last year. The resulting law, which was published in the EU’s Official Journal on 7 December 2022, mandates the use of a “common charger” for a