Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
Becoming circular, sustainable and compliant
From understanding regulatory obligations to implementing circular strategies, we support businesses at every step of their journey to become compliant with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and further the EU's transition to a circular economy.
The ESPR sets new sustainability standards on nearly all physical products, prescribing resource and energy efficiency, durability and circularity, as well as a mandatory Digital Product Passport (DPP) that stores key environmental data and demonstrates transparency and sustainability.
In becoming compliant, we help your company map material flows, collect product data, and build a DPP, while guiding you to become more circular and leverage sustainable opportunities through innovation and smarter product designs.
Curious to know more? Here's how we do it:
- Step 1: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Step 2: Digital Product Passport (DPP)
- Step 3: ESPR Compliance
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Analyze the various stages of the product life cycle
The first step in an LCA is to define the functional unit and collect information on the materials, components, and processes used throughout the product’s life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Based on the emission factors, we can calculate the environmental footprint at the product and company level. Through a hotspot analysis, we can then identify materials and activities with the highest impact and implement improvements to enhance recycled inputs, product durability, and end-of-life recovery through reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling.
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Create a Digital Product Passport (DPP) for transparency
The second step is to create a DPP and begin by compiling key information about the product’s origin, materials, manufacturing processes, environmental impact, repairability, and end-of-life cycle recovery. The passport should include data such as supply chain details, material content (including recycled or hazardous materials), carbon footprint, lifespan, and instructions for disassembly, reuse, or recycling. This information must be standardized and made accessible to relevant stakeholders across the value chain through a QR code or serial number.
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Follow the requirements of the ESPR and become compliant
To become ESPR compliant, companies must align their product data with the specific requirements set out in the regulation. After compiling verified LCA data and DPP content, the passport must be uploaded to the EU’s centralized digital registry. Additionally, the ESPR requires companies to disclose annual information on the quantity and handling of unsold consumer products and prohibits the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear, thereby promoting donation, reuse, or recycling instead. Meeting these obligations ensures both legal compliance and alignment with Europe’s shift toward a circular economy.
Smarter businesses and products start with Ecodesign
Avoid market exclusion
Non-compliance with ESPR can lead to products being banned from the EU market. With help from our step-by-step guide for the ESPR, you can assess your product portfolio, adapt the designs of your products, and invest in sustainable innovation to stay ahead.
Enhance consumer trust
Becoming ESPR compliant demonstrates a strong commitment to transparency and sustainability. To meet increasing consumer demands, the ESPR can help companies enhance brand credibility and stakeholder confidence, thereby positioning themselves as market leaders.
Boost product innovation
ESPR compliance fuels innovation through greater material traceability and smarter product designs. It pushes companies to increase repairability, reusability, and durability, as well as extend product lifecycles and unlock new opportunities within the circular economy.
Want to know more about the ESPR?
From linearity to circularity, the ESPR functions as a blueprint for smart product designs and sustainable innovation.
Why is ESPR important for your business?
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will reshape EU product rules, requiring Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for most goods. Non-compliant products risk market exclusion. Compliance improves durability, repairability, and circularity, supporting competitive advantage. The regulation also mandates lifecycle assessments and transparent supply chain data. Acting early allows strategic product redesign instead of rushed, costly adjustments when requirements take effect.
Which companies does ESPR apply to?
ESPR affects all manufacturers, importers, and distributors selling physical goods in the EU, with an initial focus on textiles, electronics, furniture, and construction materials. Fashion brands must also comply with bans on unsold stock destruction. B2B manufacturers in automotive, machinery, and industrial equipment must meet circularity requirements. Non-EU exporters to Europe must also comply, making this relevant to global supply chains.
When should you implement ESPR compliance?
The ESPR framework is adopted, with sector-specific rules rolling out from 2024 to 2027. Textile destruction bans are already in force. Preparation typically requires 6–12 months for lifecycle assessments, supply chain mapping, and DPP systems. Starting now enables gradual transformation of product portfolios instead of last-minute redesigns.
What software tooling/partners do we use for this service?
We work with Osapiens for ESPR compliance. Their platform supports lifecycle assessments, impact calculations, and DPP creation with standardised data formats. It also tracks material flows and monitors circular economy metrics. This ensures your products meet evolving ESPR requirements while improving circularity performance.
What makes Good Growth Collective’s SaaS model unique for ESPR?
Our Sustainability as a Service model ensures your product data, Life Cycle Assessments, and Digital Product Passports remain compliant as ESPR rules change. We track updates to delegated acts, model design options for circularity, and integrate metrics into your product strategy. In-house teams often prepare data once and struggle to keep it updated as regulations evolve. We maintain compliance readiness and identify improvements that can strengthen both market positioning and regulatory performance.
Reach out to us for any question
Wondering how we can help? Or looking for more information on an ESG topic?
Contact us
Kevin van Dam
Managing Consultant