🌱 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 regulation aims to “strengthe[n] the competitiveness and resilience of the EU economy”.
🌱 Why is there a working plan?
The ESPR and the EU’s Energy Labelling Framework Regulation (ELFR) set out the legal framework for the EU's main ecodesign and energy labelling policies. On 16 April 2025, the European Commission adopted its 2025-2030 working plan for the ESPR and ELFR to clarify what is required in practice. In line with the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and Competitiveness Compass, the aim of the working plan is to “foster sustainable, repairable, circular and energy efficient products across Europe”. By harmonizing the product requirements on sustainability on an EU level, the European Commission aims to “prevent barriers to trade, improve the level playing field, reduce the administrative burden, and strengthen the global competitiveness of businesses offering sustainable products”.
🌱 What does the working plan set out?
The new working plan builds on the EU’s 2022-2024 ecodesign and energy labelling working plan, which addressed 16 energy-related products (including dishwashers, displays, electric motors, and electric vehicle chargers). In line with this, the new plan includes “a list of products that should be prioritized to introduce ecodesign requirements and energy labelling over the next five years”, which is based on input from the EU’s Member States and different stakeholders. These products “were selected based on their potential to deliver on the circular economy” and notably include steel and aluminum.
🌱 What happens next?
In the near future, the European Commission plans to also introduce additional “requirements on repairability for products such as consumer electronics and small household appliances”. Amongst others, the introduction of “a repairability score for products with the most potential” as well as “requirements on recyclability of electrical and electronic equipment” are planned. The repairability score will cover the “product performance, such as minimum durability, minimum energy and resource-efficiency, availability of spare parts or minimum recycled content”. Additionally, consumers will also be provided with “product information, including key product features such as the products' carbon and environmental footprint” through Digital Product Passports and energy labels in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL).
🌱 When and how will companies be given more clarity?
The relevant requirements for several energy-related products are expected to be adopted by 31 December 2026. The adoption of further requirements will follow. The needs of SMEs and “in particular micro-enterprises and small mid-cap enterprises” will be factored into these new developments, and they will be provided with tailored support.
Read more about the working plan here:
- https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1071
- https://www.recycling-magazine.com/2025/04/03/whats-next-for-ecodesign/
- https://www.esgtoday.com/eu-to-set-ecodesign-requirements-for-apparel-steel-furniture/