Brussels, 16 April 2025
Today, the European Commission adopted the 2025-2030 working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Energy Labelling Regulation.
The plan provides a list of products that should be prioritised to introduce ecodesign requirements and energy labelling over the next five years. This will foster sustainable, repairable, circular and energy efficient products across Europe, in line with the Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass.
The priority products for ecodesign and energy labelling requirements are steel and aluminium, textiles (with a focus on apparel), furniture, tyres and mattresses. These were selected based on their potential to deliver on the circular economy.
Harmonised product sustainability requirements at EU level will reinforce the single market, prevent barriers to trade, improve the level playing field, reduce the administrative burden, and strengthen the global competitiveness of businesses offering sustainable products.
In addition, the Commission will introduce horizontal measures to requirements on repairability for products such as consumer electronics and small household appliances. This will include the introduction of a repairability score for products with the most potential, and requirements on recyclability of electrical and electronic equipment.
The selection of products included in the present working plan, is based on an inclusive process with stakeholders and reflects both the input from stakeholders and Member States. It is based on a thorough technical analysis and criteria notably related to the EU’s climate, environment and energy efficiency objectives, as well as an extensive consultation process, including through the Ecodesign Forum.
Future ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for the selected products will cover two elements:
- product performance, such as minimum durability, minimum energy and resource-efficiency, availability of spare parts or minimum recycled content;
- and/or product information, including key product features such as the products’ carbon and environmental footprint. Product information will mainly be made available via the Digital Product Passport or, for products with energy labels, via the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL).
When developing ecodesign requirements, the Commission will pay attention to the needs of SMEs, in particular micro-enterprises and small mid-cap enterprises, and will ensure that tailored support is available to them.
Next steps
Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements will be set via delegated acts on a product-by-product basis or for groups of similar products. This will be based on thorough preparatory studies and impact assessments. It will involve stakeholders and interested parties throughout the process, including in the recently established Ecodesign Forum.
Regarding some energy-related products, ongoing work under the Ecodesign Directive should continue, and relevant requirements will be adopted not later than 31 December 2026.
Background
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) aims to improve the sustainability of products placed on the EU market by increasing their circularity, energy performance, recyclability and durability, while improving the Single Market and strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the EU economy. Adopted in July 2024, it builds on the approach successfully pioneered under the EU’s current ecodesign and energy labelling frameworks.
Together with the Energy Labelling Framework Regulation (ELFR), the ESPR facilitates consumers’ choice in favour of more sustainable and energy efficient products.
Today’s working plan continues the work that started on 16 energy-related products (such as dishwashers, electric motors, electric vehicle chargers or displays) from the 2022-2024 ecodesign and energy labelling working plan.
More Information
- Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and Energy Labelling working plan 2025-2030
- Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
- European Commission web page on Sustainable Products Regulation
- Ecodesign and energy labelling for energy-related products
- Ecodesign Forum
- European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL)
- Staff Working Document
Quote(s):
Today marks a pivotal moment as the Commission is delivering on the implementation of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. This initiative builds on a 20-years global and successful ecodesign path. It will deliver significant benefits for all Europeans, create opportunities for businesses and employment, and protect the planet through proven impact on reducing emissions. These ecodesign rules apply to all products placed on our single market, regardless of their origin-country, ensuring that each of them meets the European Union’s ambitious goals. Together, let’s champion a thriving, circular economy.
Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
This initiative marks a major step toward making the circular economy a reality on the ground and sustainable products the norm across the EU. By setting clear priorities, we are providing legal certainty and predictability for the concerned industries, fostering innovation, and driving investment to support the transition to a circular economy. This will help close the innovation gap, develop lead markets for sustainable products, and accelerate the decarbonisation of key value chains to reinforce the EU’s competitiveness.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
This is an important step for delivering on the Affordable Energy Action Plan. More energy efficient products save consumers money and bring benefits to the whole economy. EU ecodesign and energy labelling has already brought €120 billion in savings for consumers, reduced the energy consumption and boosted innovation. The Commission will continue supporting the uptake of sustainable and energy efficient products in the coming years. – Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing
EU Commission’s Ecodesign Working Plan falls short of promises, warns the EEB
Brussels, 16 April 2025
The European Commission today unveiled its first Working Plan under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), an important first step towards making products sustainable by design – but the plan does not live up to the hard-won promises within the regulation, warns the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).
Adopted last year, the ESPR [1] mandates minimum requirements on efficiency, durability, recyclability, and other environmental criteria for most products sold in the EU. The newly published Working Plan [2] outlines which product categories will be prioritised for ecodesign measures over the next five years. However, the plan falls short of expectations, say environmental NGOs.
The Working Plan includes several product categories prioritised under article 18 in the final text of the ESPR (textiles, furniture, tyres, steel aluminium) and horizontal requirements for repairability, recycled content and recyclability of electrical and electronic equipment. However, it omits key categories such as chemicals, footwear, paints, and lubricants – despite strong calls from civil society to include them [3]. It also fails to address other high-impact sectors such as plastics, cement, and renewable energy infrastructure. As Europe scales up renewable energy under the Clean Industrial Deal, this is a missed opportunity to ensure these installations meet the highest ecodesign standards, regrets the EEB.
Moreover, the plan does not address further product types such as plastics, cement, and renewable energy installation. According to the EEB, this is a missed opportunity: as the EU plans to ramp up renewable energy under the Clean Industrial Deal, this would be the right time to set Ecodesign standards and avoid suboptimal technology lock-in.
Eva Bille, Head of Circular Economy at the EEB, said: “By leaving out entire product groups like footwear, paints, or chemicals, the Commission risks weakening the potential of the Ecodesign framework. If the Working Plan only covers a limited set of products, then at the very least it must set the highest possible standards – and close loopholes that let low-quality goods flood the EU market through online platforms.”
Low-quality consumer goods entering the European market via online platforms and evading EU rules is another major concern for NGOs and industries alike [4]. These products often breach pollutant limits, lack proper labelling, and are not designed to be reused, repaired, or recycled.
“The EU must crack down on rogue traders and strengthen enforcement,” Bille added. “Without proper oversight, online marketplaces become a backdoor for environmental dumping.”
Notes
[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1781&qid=1719580391746
[3] https://eeb.org/library/eeb-comments-and-amendments-for-ecodesign-for-sustainable-product-regulation-espr/ ;
https://eeb.org/library/ngos-call-for-ecodesign-measures-for-footwear/