Summary
What is the ESPR – and why does it matter?
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation is the EU’s flagship instrument to make sustainable products the norm. It replaces the older Ecodesign Directive and extends it beyond energy-related products to cover nearly all physical goods, including furniture, apparel, and home appliances.
Under ESPR, the EU can mandate that products:
- Are repairable, recyclable, and durable
- Include a Digital Product Passport (DPP)
- Disclose environmental and carbon footprints
- Contain recycled content
- Avoid the destruction of unsold goods
It’s not just policy – it’s the blueprint for what products can be sold in the EU over the next decade.
🔗 Learn more about how the ESPR works on the official page.
What’s in the 2025–2030 ESPR Working Plan?
The plan, adopted on April 16, 2025, outlines when and how different product categories will be affected. Here's what matters most:
📌 Prioritised Product Categories
According to the EU press release, the first wave of ecodesign requirements will cover:
- Textiles (especially clothing and fashion items)
- Furniture and mattresses
- Steel and aluminium
- Tyres
- Washing machines, TVs, dishwashers, and small electronics
These sectors were selected for their high environmental impact and circularity potential.
🛠 “Horizontal measures” like repairability scores and recyclability info will also apply to consumer electronics and household devices.
🧾 Digital Product Passport (DPP)
From 2026 onward, more and more products will require a digital product passport that includes:
- Sustainability and carbon footprint data
- Origin of materials
- Repair history
- Recycling instructions
The DPP will be mandatory for all products under ecodesign regulation and will follow standardised, machine-readable formats.
🗓️ Timeline Highlights
- 2026: New rules start for steel, displays, washing machines
- 2027–2029: Extended to textiles, furniture, mattresses
- 2028: Mid-term review
- 2030: End of current plan horizon – more categories to be added
How does this affect your industry?
🪑 Furniture & Interiors
Manufacturers must prepare for requirements on:
- Repairability (e.g. replaceable components, spare parts)
- Minimum recycled content
- Second-life strategies (reuse and refurbishment incentives)
- Material transparency (origin of wood, upholstery, coatings)
Check out how IKEA already operationalises second-life resale – this is where the industry is heading.
👕 Fashion & Textiles
Textile companies will need to:
- Integrate Digital Product Passports
- Avoid destroying unsold items (ban expected)
- Prepare for EPR-style obligations tied to collection and reuse
- Design for durability and recyclability
🔌 Electronics & Appliances
From TVs to toasters, producers will face:
- Repairability scores
- Mandatory recyclability disclosures
- Spare parts availability and disassembly rules
- Stricter rules for imported products via customs checks on DPP compliance
You can also check out the full explanation of the ElektroG in Germany here.
Key quotes from the Commission
“This initiative marks a major step toward making the circular economy a reality... and accelerating the decarbonisation of key value chains.”
– Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment Commission rolls out pl…
“It will deliver significant benefits for all Europeans, create opportunities for businesses and employment, and protect the planet.”
– Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice President for Industrial Strategy Commission rolls out pl…
What comes next?
The Commission plans to:
- Finalise the DPP standard format in collaboration with industry and regulators
- Begin delegated acts to enforce rules for each product group
- Strengthen market surveillance, especially for e-commerce and non-EU imports
- Conduct studies on additional sectors like chemicals, shoes, and construction materials
So what should you do?
Start now. The ESPR working plan is not a distant goal – it’s the beginning of a massive shift in product strategy, data, logistics, and customer communication.
With platforms like koorvi, you can already start building:
- Take-back systems that return value from old products
- Tracking infrastructure for DPP compliance
- Partnerships for refurbishment and second-life resale
- Transparent product information workflows
👉 Want help preparing for ESPR? Let’s talk.
FAQs
What is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and how does it impact product development in the EU?
The ESPR is a European Union regulation that sets out new requirements for the design, production, and lifecycle management of physical products. It aims to make products repairable, reusable, and recyclable, and to reduce environmental impacts throughout their life. From textiles to furniture and electronics, all sectors are affected. The ESPR will shape how products are built, marketed, and even disposed of in the EU.
When does the ESPR come into effect – and what is the timeline for implementation by industry?
The ESPR entered into force in July 2024, but the Working Plan 2025–2030 defines when specific product groups will face new rules:
- 2026: First rules apply to washing machines, displays, steel and aluminium
- 2027–2029: Rules expand to textiles, furniture, mattresses, and more
- 2028: Mid-term review of the plan
- 2030: End of current rollout phase – new product categories expected to follow
If you’re in the fashion, electronics, or home goods industry, 2026 is not far away.
What is the Digital Product Passport (DPP) under ESPR – and which products will need one?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a mandatory digital file that contains key information about a product’s composition, sustainability, repairability, recyclability, and carbon footprint. It will apply to all product categories regulated under ESPR – including:
- Clothing and fashion items
- Furniture like tables, sofas, chairs
- Home appliances (e.g. dishwashers, TVs)
- Electronics (e.g. smartphones, laptops)
The goal is to enable product traceability, consumer transparency, and efficient recycling through machine-readable data.
How does the ESPR affect sustainability requirements for furniture and textiles?
The ESPR will require brands in the furniture and textile industries to meet specific sustainability benchmarks, including:
- Use of recycled and recyclable materials
- Implementation of product repairability standards
- Availability of replacement parts
- Offering of take-back programs or reuse options
- Clear origin and material traceability via the DPP
These requirements apply not only to EU-based brands but also to non-EU companies selling into Europe.
Will the ESPR require companies to launch a product take-back system?
Yes, especially for furniture, fashion, and electronics. The ESPR encourages end-of-life responsibility, and future rules will make take-back systems, second-life sales, and recycling standard practices. Brands that start implementing digital return flows now – like with platforms such as koorvi – will be ahead of both regulation and market expectations.
What are the consequences of not complying with ESPR and the Digital Product Passport?
Non-compliance with ESPR regulations can lead to:
- Market bans within the EU
- Rejection at customs for non-compliant imported goods
- Legal risks and financial penalties
- Loss of access to online platforms that require ESPR and DPP compliance
- Reputational damage for failing to meet sustainability and transparency expectations
It’s not just about avoiding fines – it’s about staying in the market.
How can small and mid-sized brands prepare for ESPR without major internal resources?
Brands don’t need to build ESPR-compliant systems from scratch. Platforms like koorvi provide:
- Tools for take-back and resale logistics
- Integrated DPP data workflows
- Automated tracking for repairability and recyclability
- Dashboards for compliance reporting and market access
Whether you’re managing fashion resale, furniture returns, or electronics recycling, koorvi helps you stay compliant while focusing on your customers.
