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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Analyse 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 standardised 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 centralised 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 compliance important for your business?
The ESPR reshapes EU product rules, requiring Digital Product Passports for most goods. Non-compliant products risk market exclusion, while implementation of the ESPR requirements could help improve durability, recyclability, and reusability, thereby furthering your competitive advantage. Conducting a life cycle assessment for ESPR compliance can help identify resource-intensive hotspots and find ways to reduce your environmental footprint. Acting early enables you to redesign and improve the sustainability of your products, as well as maintain market access.
Which companies have to comply with the ESPR?
ESPR affects all manufacturers, importers, and distributors selling physical goods in the EU, with an initial focus on electronics, iron and steel, aliminium, textiles, tyres, furniture, and matrasses. Among others, well-known fashion brands must disclose annual information on the number of unsold goods, as well as stop with the destruction of unsold goods. Non-EU exporters to Europe must also comply, making this relevant to global supply chains.
When should you start implementing the ESPR?
The ESPR entered into force in July 2024, with textile reporting requirements and destruction bans already in force, and product-specific rules rolling out from July 2026, starting with electronics, iron and steel, aliminium, textiles, tyres, furniture, and mattresses. Preparation typically requires 6–12 months, as it includes a life cycle assessment and DPP creation. Starting now enables gradual transformation of product portfolios instead of last-minute redesigns.
What software tooling and partners do we use for the ESPR?
We work with Osapiens for ESPR compliance. The software enables you to manage life cycle data, improve the tracability of your material flows, and identify hotspots for circularity. Additionally, Osapiens' platform facilitates the creation of a DPP, ready for upload to the EU’s centralized digital registry, and in line with the requirements of the ESPR.
What makes our SaaS model unique for ESPR compliance?
Our Sustainability as a Service model ensures your product data, life cycle assessments, and Digital Product Passports remain compliant as the product-specific ESPR guidelines enter into force. We help you track sustainable options for new circular product designs and build more efficient value chains. Unlike companies that prepare compliance data once and then struggle to keep it updated, we provide continuous compliance readiness, monitoring and updating your data over time. Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, we help you unlock opportunities to strengthen your circularity and competitive edge.