Regulation (EU) 2024/1781
Establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products (ESPR) — and creating the Digitaler Produktpass.
Official text on EUR-LexWas ist die ESPR-Verordnung?
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, known as ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), establishes a framework to ensure products sold in the EU are increasingly sustainable, durable, repairable and circular. It repeals Directive 2009/125/EC.
Ensure that only products passing the circularity test circulate in the EU market — designed to be reused, repaired and recycled, with traceable information accessible via the Digitaler Produktpass (DPP).
The ESPR is one of the pillars of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. It contributes to the 2050 climate-neutrality target and the 55 % emissions reduction by 2030.
Only products that meet ecodesign requirements may be placed on the market or put into service. Member States may not add national requirements on parameters already covered by delegated acts.
Scope of application
The Regulation applies to all physical goods placed on the market or put into service in the EU, including components, intermediate products and digital content forming an integral part of a physical product.
Expressly excluded products
Note: Electric bicycles and e-scooters are not excluded even though they are vehicles. Second-hand products are not new products and do not need to meet delegated acts in force at the time of their original placement on the market.
Ecodesign requirements
The Commission will adopt delegated acts setting product-group-specific ecodesign requirements. The first delegated act may not enter into force before 19 July 2025 (Art. 4.7). Requirements fall into two types: performance (measurable min/max levels) and information (data that must accompany the product).
16 product aspects to be improved (Art. 5.1)
Ban on premature obsolescence (Art. 5.2)
Requirements will ensure products do not become prematurely obsolete by deliberate design: use of less robust components, making key parts impossible to disassemble, absence of repair information, or software that stops working when the operating system is updated.
Digitaler Produktpass
The DPP will be mandatory for all product groups subject to delegated acts, unless a justified exemption applies. It must be accessible via a physical data carrier (QR code, barcode, RFID or equivalent) present on the product, its packaging or accompanying documentation.
Unique identifier
Linked to a persistent unique product identifier via a data carrier (QR, RFID, etc.) present on the product, packaging or documentation.
Open & interoperable
Data based on open standards, machine-readable, searchable, and transferable over an open network without vendor lock-in.
Privacy & security
No personal data stored without explicit consent (GDPR). High security and privacy standards to prevent fraud.
Permanent availability
The passport remains available for the specified period, including after insolvency or liquidation of the operator.
Full interoperability
Fully interoperable with other DPPs required by delegated acts — technically, semantically and organisationally.
Central registry
The Commission will create a digital registry operational by 19 July 2026 storing all unique identifiers.
Easy and free-of-chargeaccess according to each actor's access rights:
Verpflichtungen pro Wertschöpfungskettenakteur
- Ensure the product meets applicable ecodesign requirements
- Draw up technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity
- Retain documentation for 10 years after placing on the market
- Create and maintain the Digital Product Passport
- Ensure the data carrier appears on the product, packaging or documentation
- Verify that the manufacturer has fulfilled ecodesign requirements
- Check that technical documentation and declaration of conformity exist
- Do not place non-compliant products on the market
- Cooperate with market surveillance authorities
- Ensure the product carries the required labels
- Guarantee customer access to the Digital Product Passport
- Do not handle products in ways that affect their conformity
- Inform customers, including in distance and online sales
- Cooperate with market surveillance authorities
- Remove listings for non-compliant products
- Guarantee interface access for surveillance checks
- Regular and structured exchange of information with authorities
Key dates
Published in the Official Journal of the EU
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 published. Entry into force 20 days after publication.
Entry into force
The ESPR Regulation officially enters into force, repealing Directive 2009/125/EC.
First delegated act
No delegated act may enter into force before this date (Art. 4.7). Formal start of product-category specification processes.
DPP registry operational
The European Commission must have the centralised digital passport registry fully operational (Art. 13).
Delegated acts by sector
Progressive rollout of requirements by category: textiles, electronics, batteries, furniture, construction, vehicles and others per the work plan.
Wide-scale application
Target for broad product group coverage. Effective penalties for non-compliance across all Member States.
Is your product ready for the DPP?
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