New plan to boost the EU’s circular economy

On 16 April, 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: European Commission.