Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products: A New Landscape in Production
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Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products: A new panorama in production
by Sabino Borges, CEO of Ruy de Lacerda S.A. | Grupo
On 18 July, the European Union took a significant step towards sustainability with the entry into force of the Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products (ESPR). This regulation represents a crucial milestone in the transformation of the European market towards more sustainable and circular products, in line with the objectives of the Circular Economy Plan launched in 2020.
This is just one of the many measures that the European Union has been developing and implementing to boost the circular economy and sustainability. In this article we discuss this regulation and the impact it will have on the European economy and its companies.
Context and importance of the regulation
The consumption of products is one of the main causes of climate change and pollution. Faced with this challenge, the European Commission introduced the ESPR as a key part of its strategy to tackle the environmental crisis and promote a circular economy model. This regulation aims not only to increase the circularity of products, but also to improve their energy performance and other aspects of sustainability.
The ESPR establishes a set of strict criteria for a product to be considered sustainable, including:
- Energy Efficiency: products should consume less energy during use.
- Durability: they should have a longer lifespan.
- Repairability: damaged products should be easy to repair.
- Ease of Disassembly: Parts of the product should be easily separable for other uses.
- Reduction of Hazardous Substances: they should contain fewer harmful substances.
- Recyclability: Products should be easily recyclable.
- Recycled Content: Products should have a higher proportion of recycled materials.
- Environmental Footprint: The carbon footprint and other environmental impacts should be reduced throughout the product’s life cycle.
New Measures Introduced by the Regulation
The ESPR incorporates three important new measures:
- Digital Materials Passport: This digital identity card will store crucial information about products, such as technical performance, origin of materials and environmental impacts. This passport will facilitate transparency and allow consumers and economic operators to make more informed and sustainable choices.
- Rules for Destruction of Unsold Products: The regulation bans the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear and opens up the possibility of expanding this ban to other sectors. This measure aims to reduce waste and promote the reuse of products.
- Green Public Procurement: Given that public procurement represents a significant part of the economy, the regulation establishes mandatory criteria to make public procurement more sustainable, thus influencing a crucial sector in the European economy.
Impact on Repair and Sustainability
The regulation addresses the issue of repair in detail, prioritising second-hand products, as reconditioned or repaired products from the EU are not considered new, and will have a competitive advantage over this type of product, being able to circulate in the EU without having to comply with ecological production requirements.
The digital passport will allow consumers to access detailed information on repair, reconditioning and reuse, obliging suppliers to provide transparent and up-to-date information.
Finally, the regulation sets specific parameters for ease of repair and maintenance, requiring products to be designed to last longer and be easily repairable, including the availability of spare parts and instruction manuals by producers.
This regulation could have a strong impact on companies’ production processes, which will have to redesign or change some products. With our technical know-how and partnerships with technologically advanced companies, we are attentive to the changes that may arise in order to develop new solutions for companies’ needs.
The future
With the entry into force of the ESPR, the European Union has taken an important step towards establishing a more sustainable and circular future. For industrial companies, these measures will require some adjustments in terms of process and product design, but in the long term they are an excellent way of protecting the environment and consumers.
To implement the plan, a prioritization exercise will be carried out followed by the publication of a work plan setting out the products and measures to be addressed under this Regulation. The rules to be applied to the different products will then be drawn up in consultation with interested parties, namely producer companies and associations.
Conclusion
The Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products marks a significant step forward in the European Union’s strategy for sustainability and the circular economy. By establishing strict criteria for the sustainability of products and introducing new measures such as the digital passport and rules on the destruction of unsold products, the ESPR not only promotes a more sustainable market, but also strengthens the EU’s position as a global leader in environmental policies. With the implementation of this regulation, it is hoped that there will be a substantial transformation in the European and therefore global market, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.
At Ruy de Lacerda we are always aware of all the measures and legislative changes that may affect Portuguese companies. Whatever your company needs, from new equipment or consumables to adjust to new sustainability requirements, or consultancy to make the best decisions, you can benefit from Ruy de Lacerda’s support.
These measures may be challenging to implement, but with our support and expertise in the field of Circular Economy, we will help Portuguese industry adapt.
