Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
Binding European framework for ecodesign and the Digital Product Passport for products marketed in the EU. Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 published in the OJEU on 28 June 2024.
Context
ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) is the European framework for the ecodesign of sustainable products. It replaces Directive 2009/125/EC, extending the scope from electronics to 28 categories, including textiles. Codified in Regulation (EU) 2024/1781.
Regulatory origin
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024, published in OJEU L 188 on 28 Jun 2024. Entry into force 18 Jul 2024 (20 days after publication).
The 16 ecodesign aspects (Art. 5)
Durability and reliability.
Reusability and upgradability.
Reparability and maintenance.
Presence of substances of concern.
Energy, water and resource efficiency.
Recycled content.
Possibility of remanufacturing and recyclability.
Material recovery.
Carbon footprint and environmental footprint.
Expected waste.
Timeline
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 adopted
Approved by Parliament and Council.
Entry into force
20 days after publication in OJEU L 188.
Working Plan 2025-2030
COM(2025) 187 final prioritises textiles-footwear as the first category.
Minimum deadline for 1st delegated act
Art. 4.7 establishes this date as the minimum limit.
Prohibition on destruction of stocks
Applies to unsold textiles and footwear (Art. 25).
Textile delegated act
Estimated application of the first sectoral textile delegated act.
Applied case
A textile brand prepares its ESPR compliance roadmap ahead of the application of the textile delegated act estimated for 2027.
Identifies the 16 aspects of Art. 5 applicable to its catalogue and prioritises durability, recyclability and carbon footprint as material aspects.
Implements a DPP system with a technology partner (TraceWeave) to have the infrastructure ready before the delegated act.
Audits historical stock destruction (years 2022-2024) to have a baseline before 19 Jul 2026 (Art. 25 prohibition).
Prepares annual reporting of quantities destroyed + reasons (mandatory for large companies from 18 Jul 2024).
Common mistakes
The ESPR is not an updated version of the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC.
Directive 2009/125/EC covered energy-related products. The ESPR repeals it and radically extends the objective scope to any physical good placed on the internal market, except for the exhaustively listed exclusions of Art. 1.2 (food, medicines, living plants/animals, sectoral vehicles).
The ESPR does not impose immediate operational obligations on textiles from 2024.
The framework regulation has been in force since its publication in the OJEU of 28.6.2024, but the substantive requirements and the DPP obligation by sector require a delegated act. The first delegated act adopted pursuant to Art. 4 could not enter into force before 19 July 2025 (Art. 4.7) and its date of application is set, as a general rule, no less than 18 months after the entry into force of the delegated act itself (Art. 4.4). The indicative timeline of the Working Plan COM(2025) 187 places adoption for textiles/apparel in 2027.
The ESPR is not limited to products manufactured in the EU.
It applies to any physical good placed on the internal market regardless of the place of manufacture (Art. 1.2 + Art. 2.40 placing on the market). The responsible economic operator is the one who places it on the EU market: EU manufacturer, authorised representative, importer or distributor (Art. 2.42 to 2.46).
The DPP is not the ESPR — it is one piece within the ESPR.
The ESPR is the framework regulation. The DPP is one of the instruments required by the regulation (Chapter III, Arts. 9-11), alongside the substantive requirements of Arts. 5-7, the prohibition on destroying unsold goods of Chapter VI (Arts. 23-26) and mandatory green public procurement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ESPR Regulation?
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR), published in OJEU L of 28.6.2024 (CELEX 32024R1781). In accordance with Art. 1.1: it establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements that products must meet to be placed on the market or put into service in the Union, regulates the digital product passport and introduces mandatory green public procurement.
To which products does the ESPR apply?
In accordance with Art. 1.2 it covers any physical good placed on the market or put into service, including components and intermediate products, except for exhaustively listed exclusions (food, feed, human and veterinary medicines, living plants/animals/micro-organisms, products of human origin, vehicles covered by sectoral legislation).
How are the ESPR obligations specified for textiles?
Through sectoral delegated acts adopted by the Commission (Art. 4.1). The first delegated act could not enter into force before 19 July 2025 (Art. 4.7) and application no earlier than 18 months after the entry into force of the delegated act itself (Art. 4.4). The textile act is in preparation according to the Working Plan 2025-2030.
What is the difference between the ESPR and the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC?
Directive 2009/125/EC only covered energy-related products (household appliances, lighting). The ESPR repeals it and extends the scope to ANY physical good. It also introduces information requirements (DPP), green public procurement and a prohibition on the destruction of unsold products — levers that Directive 2009/125 did not have.
What are the 16 product aspects regulable by the ESPR?
In accordance with Art. 5.1: durability, reliability, reuse, upgradability, reparability, maintenance and refurbishment, substances of concern, energy use and efficiency, water use and efficiency, resource use and efficiency, recycled content, remanufacturing, recyclability, material recovery, environmental impacts and expected waste generation.
When is the destruction of unsold products prohibited?
The ESPR establishes a progressive prohibition on the destruction of unsold consumer products for large companies from 19 Jul 2026 and for medium-sized companies from 19 Jul 2030 (Art. 25 + Annex VII). For textiles, apparel and clothing accessories (CN codes 4203, 6101-6117, 6201-6217, 6504, 6505) and footwear (6401-6405) are explicitly listed.
Fuentes oficiales
- European Parliament · European Council · OJEU L of 28.6.202413 jun 2024regulation
- European Commission16 abr 2025policy
- Joint Research Centre (JRC) · European Commission2024-2026study
- EUR-Lex · Publications Office of the European Union2024database
