EU Regulation Guide

ESPR: The EU Ecodesign Regulation that changes how you sell physical products

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation requires most physical goods sold in Europe to carry a Digital Product Passport. Here’s what it means, when it applies, and what you need to do.

What is ESPR?

ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, EU 2024/1781) is the EU’s overhaul of product sustainability law. It replaces the 2009 Ecodesign Directive, which only covered energy-related products, and extends mandatory eco-requirements to almost all physical goods placed on the EU market.

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 also sets mandatory requirements for durability, repairability, recyclability, and the prohibition of destroying unsold goods. But for most brands, the first concrete obligation they will encounter is the DPP.

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.

ESPR timeline — key dates

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 July 2026Unsold clothing destruction ban

Destroying unsold apparel and footwear is banned in the EU (micro and small enterprises exempt; medium-sized from 2030). Same day: the Commission's deadline to set up the central EU DPP registry — an infrastructure milestone, not yet a product-level duty.

Feb 2027Battery DPP mandatory

Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 requires DPPs for EV, LMT and industrial batteries — the first products that must actually register in the EU registry.

2027 (expected)Textile delegated act adopted

Commission proposal expected late 2026, adoption around 2027. The act sets the exact DPP data fields for clothing and textiles.

2028–2029Textiles & apparel DPP mandatory

DPPs become mandatory at least 18 months after the delegated act is adopted — realistically 2028–2029. Brands selling in the EU must have the passport attached to the product.

2028–2030Steel, furniture & more

Iron and steel lead the industrial categories (act expected 2026, compliance around 2028). Furniture follows (act expected 2028, mandatory around 2029–2030). Consumer electronics are not in the current Working Plan — the 2028 review is their earliest entry point.

What does ESPR compliance require from brands?

By your category’s compliance date, you need:

  1. 01
    A Digital Product Passport for each product
    Containing the required data fields for your category — materials, certifications, care, end-of-life guidance.
  2. 02
    A unique product identifier (UID)
    A persistent, unique ID per SKU. Format is defined per delegated act — often GS1 GTIN or similar.
  3. 03
    A data carrier on the product
    A QR code, NFC chip or equivalent that links to the passport. Must be on the product or its label.
  4. 04
    A publicly accessible passport page
    Anyone with a smartphone must be able to scan and read the passport. No login or app required.
  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?
The regulation entered into force in July 2024, and the first ESPR acts were adopted in February 2026. Product-specific DPP obligations come via delegated acts on a rolling schedule. Batteries are first (February 2027, under their own regulation). The textile delegated act is expected around 2027, making textile DPPs mandatory roughly 2028–2029. Furniture follows (act expected 2028, mandatory around 2029–2030), with other categories through 2030 and beyond.
What does ESPR require for textiles?
For textiles, ESPR requires a Digital Product Passport containing fibre composition, country of manufacture, durability and repairability information, chemical content, and end-of-life guidance. The QR code carrying this passport must be attached to the product or its label.
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.

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