As reported by the European Commission, it adopted the new 2025-2030 work plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) Regulation and the Energy Labelling (ELFR) Regulation on 16 April 2025. The plan defines which product groups should be the focus of attention over the next five years when it comes to new requirements for sustainability, reparability, recyclability and energy efficiency.
Among other things, the focus is on
- Consumer electronics
- Small household appliances
- Dishwashers
- Electric motors
- Chargers for electric vehicles
- Displays
- Steel and aluminium
- Textiles (especially clothing)
- Furniture
- Tyres
- Mattresses
These products receive special attention due to their potential for the circular economy or their reparability. The aim is to promote sustainable, repairable, circular and energy-efficient products on the EU internal market - in line with the Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass.
Key points of the work plan:
- Priority is given to products with high environmental relevance, such as steel, aluminium, textiles, furniture, tyres and mattresses.
- Introduction of a repairability score for products with high repair potential, particularly in consumer electronics and small household appliances.
- Requirements for the recyclability of electrical and electronic equipment.
- In future, product information such as the carbon footprint is to be provided via the digital product passport or the European Product Register for Energy Labelling (EPREL).
Two key aspects of the new requirements:
- Product performance: minimum shelf life, minimum energy and resource efficiency, availability of spare parts or minimum recycled content.
- Product information including important product features such as the CO2 footprint and the ecological footprint of the products.
Special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs):
The Commission will ensure that SMEs, especially micro-enterprises and small mid-capitalisation companies, are specifically supported.
Further steps:
- The specific ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for individual products or product groups are defined by delegated acts.
- Preparatory studies and impact assessments as well as stakeholder involvement are taken into account.
- For certain products in the area of energy consumption (e.g. dishwashers, electric motors, chargers, displays), the work from the 2022-2024 work plan will be continued. The new requirements should be adopted by the end of 2026 at the latest.
The trade-e-bility consulting team will be happy to answer your questions about ecodesign, reparability, energy consumption labelling or the registration of your products in the EPREL database on +49/40/750687-300 or send us an e-mail.
