ESPR, explained.

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation sets the framework for category-specific Digital Product Passport rules. Here’s what it means, when requirements may apply, and how to prepare.

What is ESPR?

ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, EU 2024/1781) is the EU’s framework for product sustainability rules. It replaces the 2009 Ecodesign Directive and can extend ecodesign requirements beyond energy-related products through product-specific measures.

The centrepiece of ESPR is the Digital Product Passport (DPP): a machine-readable, QR-linked record that travels with each product and makes sustainability data — materials, repairability, chemical content, recycling guidance — available to anyone who scans it.

ESPR provides for requirements on durability, repairability, recyclability and product information, alongside rules on destroying unsold goods. Which obligations a brand faces depends on its products and the applicable measures.

Who does ESPR apply to?

Any economic operator that places products in the EU market — manufacturers, importers, and brand owners. This includes:

Clothing & fashion brands
Furniture manufacturers
Electronics sellers
EU & non-EU manufacturers
Importers & distributors
Artisans & makers

There is no turnover threshold or SME exemption in the core regulation. Micro-enterprises may receive proportionate measures in some delegated acts, but should not assume they are excluded.

Worth being plain about: using a tool — ours or anyone else's — does not by itself make you compliant. You remain the responsible economic operator. We give you an ESPR-aligned structure, hosting and a QR; the accuracy of what goes in the fields, and the decision that it satisfies your delegated act, stays with you.

ESPR timeline — key dates

Updated 2 October 2026. Dates marked planned come from the European Commission DPP timeline; they describe intended adoption, not when every product must carry a passport. Check each final act before relying on a deadline.

July 2024ESPR enters into force

Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 published. Commission begins working programme for delegated acts.

Feb 2026First ESPR acts adopted

The Commission adopts the first ESPR secondary acts, setting disclosure rules for businesses that destroy unsold goods.

19–20 July 2026Unsold-goods rules and DPP Registry launch

The ban on destroying unsold apparel and footwear applies from 19 July, with micro and small enterprise exemptions. The Commission launched the central DPP Registry and its testing environment on 20 July. The launch itself did not create a DPP duty for every product.

Q4 2026 (planned)Iron and steel delegated act

The Commission's indicative DPP timeline targets adoption of the iron and steel act and battery access-rights rules. Adoption timing may change; application follows the adopted rules.

18 February 2027Battery passport requirement begins

The separate Batteries Regulation requires passports for EV batteries, light means of transport batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh. Required registration and access rules must also be followed.

Q3–Q4 2027 (planned)Textile, aluminium and tyre acts

The Commission's indicative timetable targets adoption of these delegated acts. They will define the scope, data and dates if adopted; the plan itself is not a product compliance deadline.

2028–2029 (planned)Furniture, then mattresses

Furniture is scheduled for a 2028 delegated act and mattresses for 2029. Application dates will be set in the final acts, normally after a transition period of at least 18 months.

What does ESPR compliance require from brands?

By your category’s compliance date, you need:

  1. 01
    A passport at the required identification level
    The applicable act sets whether a passport is needed at model, batch or item level and which data fields it must contain.
  2. 02
    A unique product identifier (UID)
    A persistent identifier at the model, batch or item level specified by the applicable rules. A GTIN may be useful where you already use one.
  3. 03
    A data carrier in the required place
    A QR code or another permitted carrier that links to the passport. Check the applicable act for placement on the product, packaging or documentation.
  4. 04
    A publicly accessible passport page
    Make consumer-facing information easy to access by scan. The applicable rules may reserve other data for specific actors.
  5. 05
    Durability and repairability data
    Depending on category: expected lifespan, spare parts availability, repairability score.

Frequently asked questions

What is ESPR?
ESPR stands for the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781). It replaces the old Ecodesign Directive and extends sustainability requirements to almost all physical products sold in the EU, not just energy-related products.
Does ESPR apply to small businesses?
Yes. ESPR does not have an SME exemption for the Digital Product Passport requirement. However, the Commission has committed to proportionate implementing measures — micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees) may get longer lead times for some delegated acts.
When does ESPR come into effect?
ESPR entered into force in July 2024. The EU DPP Registry launched on 20 July 2026. Certain batteries need a passport from 18 February 2027 under the separate Batteries Regulation. The Commission currently plans textile, aluminium and tyre delegated acts for Q3–Q4 2027 and furniture for 2028; these are indicative adoption dates, not DPP compliance dates. Each adopted act sets its own requirements and application date.
What does ESPR require for textiles?
Textile apparel is an ESPR priority, but the category's delegated act has not yet fixed the final DPP fields, placement or application date. Brands can collect fibre, origin, care and repair information now, then check the adopted act before treating a passport as compliant.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with ESPR?
Member States set penalties, but the Commission expects them to be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive. Non-compliant products can be withdrawn from the EU market. The risk of being blocked from selling across the EU significantly outweighs the cost of compliance.

Start with one product

Collect your product information, review the details and share a public passport page or QR code. Start with 5 free lifetime passports. Check the requirements that apply to your product category.

Start free
Or learn more about how Digital Product Passports work