Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) 

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a European Union regulation that establishes sustainability, circularity, and information requirements for products placed on the EU market and provides the legal framework for mandatory Digital Product Passports (DPPs). 

What Is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation? 

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a central pillar of the EU’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan. It significantly expands earlier ecodesign rules, which were primarily focused on energy-related products, to cover almost all physical goods placed on the EU market. 

ESPR shifts EU product regulation from narrow performance standards toward a lifecycle-based sustainability approach, requiring products to be: 

• More durable 

• More repairable 

• More resource-efficient 

• More transparent 

Crucially, ESPR is the regulation that legally mandates the Digital Product Passport for in-scope products. 

Why ESPR Matters for Digital Product Passports 

ESPR is the legal foundation of DPP. While the Digital Product Passport defines how product data is structured and accessed, ESPR defines: 

• Which products must have a DPP 

• What sustainability requirements apply 

• Which data must be made available 

• Who is responsible for compliance 

Without ESPR, DPP would not be enforceable. Together, they form a single regulatory system linking product design, sustainability performance, and digital transparency. 

Products Covered Under ESPR 

Unlike previous ecodesign rules, ESPR has a very broad scope. It applies to nearly all physical goods placed on the EU market, with limited exceptions such as food and pharmaceuticals. 

Priority product categories include: 

• Textiles and footwear 

• Electronics and ICT equipment 

• Batteries 

• Construction products 

• Furniture 

• Chemicals and consumer goods 

The EU will introduce requirements gradually, starting with high-impact sectors and expanding over time. 

Core Requirements Introduced by ESPR 

ESPR empowers the European Commission to set product-specific rules covering: 

1. Product Design and Performance 

• Durability and reliability 

• Repairability and upgradability 

• Recyclability and material recovery 

• Reduced environmental footprint 

2. Information and Transparency 

• Mandatory Digital Product Passports 

• Standardized sustainability data 

• Machine-readable product information 

3. Circular Economy Obligations 

• Reuse and refurbishment readiness 

• Spare parts availability 

• Disassembly instructions 

This means compliance is no longer limited to manufacturing it spans the entire product lifecycle. 

How ESPR Enables the Digital Product Passport 

Under ESPR, the Digital Product Passport becomes the mandatory digital container for product information. 

ESPR defines: 

• The legal obligation to provide a DPP 

• Minimum data categories per product group 

• Rules for data accessibility and interoperability 

• Conditions for regulatory and consumer access 

In practice, ESPR turns sustainability requirements into verifiable, digital evidence rather than static declarations. 

Who Must Comply with ESPR? 

Responsibility lies with the economic operator placing the product on the EU market, which may include: 

• Manufacturers 

• Importers 

• Authorized representatives 

Even non-EU companies must comply if their products are sold in the EU. Like other EU sustainability regulations, liability cannot be outsourced. 

ESPR and Product Lifecycle Data 

One of ESPR’s most important contributions is its requirement for lifecycle-based data availability. This includes information on: 

• Raw material sourcing 

• Manufacturing processes 

• Use-phase impacts 

• Repair and maintenance 

• End-of-life treatment 

This lifecycle focus ensures that sustainability claims are measurable, comparable, and enforceable. 

Enforcement and Market Surveillance Under ESPR 

ESPR introduces stronger enforcement mechanisms through: 

• Market surveillance authorities 

• Digital access to product data via DPP 

• Cross-border information sharing 

Authorities will be able to: 

• Check product compliance digitally 

• Compare sustainability claims across products 

• Identify non-compliant goods more efficiently 

Products that fail to meet ESPR requirements may be: 

• Restricted from the EU market 

• Subject to fines or corrective actions 

Operational Impact on Companies 

ESPR compliance requires companies to rethink how they manage product data. 

Key operational implications include: 

• Structured collection of sustainability data 

• Integration between ERP, PLM, and DPP systems 

• Ongoing data updates as products change 

• Cross-functional collaboration between design, compliance, IT, and supply chain teams 

Companies that treat ESPR as a documentation exercise risk costly redesigns and delayed market access. 

Common Misconceptions About ESPR 

• “ESPR only affects manufacturers” ❌ 

• “DPP is optional under ESPR” ❌ 

• “Only environmental data is required” ❌ 

• “Once created, a DPP never changes” ❌ 

ESPR establishes continuous compliance obligations, not one-time disclosures. 

Relationship Between ESPR, DPP, and Other EU Regulations 

ESPR is designed to work alongside: 

• Digital Product Passport requirements 

• Circular Economy Action Plan 

• Product safety and market surveillance rules 

• Sector-specific sustainability legislation 

It also complements supply-chain-focused regulations by extending transparency from raw materials to finished products.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)