Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 A framework for eco-design requirements for sustainable products

Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, established on June 13, 2024, by the European Parliament and the Council, provides a comprehensive framework for setting ecodesign requirements aimed at fostering sustainable products. This regulation aligns with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan to reduce environmental impacts, enhance product durability, repairability, and recyclability, and promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Key Objectives and Principles

European Green Deal

The European Green Deal is the EU's strategy for achieving sustainable growth. It aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. By 2050, the EU aims to become climate-neutral, achieving a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and their removal from the atmosphere.

Circular Economy Transition

The regulation supports a shift from a linear economy, characterized by a take-make-dispose model, to a circular economy. This transition focuses on extending the lifecycle of products through improved design, encouraging reuse, repair, and recycling, and reducing dependency on new materials. This approach aims to minimize waste and environmental impact while maximizing resource efficiency.

Scope and Applicability

Products Covered

The regulation applies to all physical goods placed on the market or put into service within the EU, including components and intermediate products. It encompasses digital content if it is integral to the functioning of the physical product. This broad scope ensures that a wide range of products will be designed with sustainability in mind.

Exemptions

Specific exemptions are provided for certain products where ecodesign requirements are deemed unnecessary. These include:

• Food and Feed: As defined by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, including the general principles of food law.
• Medicinal Products: As defined by Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/6, covering both human and veterinary medicines.
• Vehicles: Specific vehicles subject to other comprehensive regulations are excluded, although e-bikes and e-scooters are not exempt.

Ecodesign Requirements

Enhancing Product Sustainability

The regulation mandates requirements to improve various aspects of product sustainability, including:

• Durability: Ensuring products are long-lasting and robust.
• Repairability: Making products easier to repair, with the availability of spare parts and repair information.
• Recyclability: Enhancing the ability to recycle products at the end of their life cycle.

Resource Efficiency

To address resource efficiency, the regulation focuses on:

• Energy Efficiency: Reducing the energy consumption of products during their use phase.
• Material Efficiency: Promoting the use of recycled materials and minimizing the use of hazardous substances.
• Waste Reduction: Encouraging designs that reduce waste generation and facilitate the recovery of valuable materials.

Combatting Premature Obsolescence

The regulation includes measures to counteract premature obsolescence, ensuring that products are designed for longevity and reducing the environmental impact of frequent product replacement.

Information and Labelling

Digital Product Passport

A central feature of the regulation is the digital product passport, which is designed to provide comprehensive information about a product throughout its lifecycle. This passport will include details on the product’s sustainability, repairability, and recyclability, making it easier for consumers and businesses to make informed choices.

Clear Labelling

Labels must provide clear and easily understandable information to consumers, allowing for effective product comparison. This includes physical labels at points of sale and online information, which should be easy to access and interpret.

Tracking and Communication

The regulation mandates the tracking and communication of information on substances of concern within products. This ensures transparency and supports better recycling and reuse practices by providing necessary information to consumers, recyclers, and other stakeholders.

Implementation and Enforcement

Delegated Acts

The European Commission is empowered to set specific ecodesign requirements for different product groups through delegated acts. These acts ensure that the regulation can be adapted to new products and technologies, maintaining its relevance and effectiveness.

Digital Product Passport Registry

A central registry will store data related to digital product passports, facilitating compliance verification by customs and market surveillance authorities. This registry ensures that all relevant product information is readily accessible for enforcement and monitoring purposes.

Enhanced Enforcement

Customs authorities will have a crucial role in verifying compliance at the border, ensuring that only compliant products enter the EU market. Enhanced market surveillance will also ensure that products already on the market continue to meet the required standards.

Coordination with Other Union Laws

Consistency with Existing Laws

The regulation ensures consistency with existing EU laws on chemicals, packaging, and waste. It aims to complement and enhance these laws to promote sustainability. This includes alignment with the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) and the database for Substances of Concern In articles (SCIP).

Linkages with Other Databases

The digital product passport will be linked with other EU databases to provide a comprehensive view of a product’s environmental impact. This integration ensures that all relevant information is accessible and usable by various stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

Ecodesign Forum

An Ecodesign Forum will be established to consult with Member States and stakeholders. This forum will play a key role in prioritizing products and setting ecodesign requirements. It will ensure that the perspectives of all relevant parties are considered in the decision-making process.

Prioritization and Planning

Working Plan

The Commission will adopt a working plan covering at least three years, listing product groups for which it intends to set ecodesign requirements. This plan will be bas ed on criteria such as potential environmental impact, feasibility, and alignment with EU sustainability goals.

Criteria for Prioritization

Products will be prioritized based on their potential contribution to the EU's climate, environmental, and energy objectives. The working plan will ensure a balanced approach, considering economic and technical aspects. High-priority sectors include:

• Iron, Steel, and Aluminium: Key materials with significant environmental footprints.
• Textiles: Particularly garments and footwear, which have substantial sustainability challenges.
• Furniture: Including mattresses, focusing on durability and recyclability.
• Tyres: Addressing waste and recyclability issues.
• Detergents, Paints, and Lubricants: Reducing hazardous substances and improving sustainability.
• Chemicals: Ensuring safer and more sustainable use.
• ICT Products and Electronics: Enhancing energy efficiency and recyclability.
• Energy-Related Products: Extending existing measures to new product groups.

Conclusion

Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 is a significant step towards promoting sustainable product design in the EU. By setting comprehensive ecodesign requirements, the regulation aims to reduce environmental impacts, promote a circular economy, and ensure that sustainable products become the norm in the EU market. This regulation represents a holistic approach to sustainability, integrating various environmental, economic, and social goals.