A new era for product design will become true – The new ecodesign regulation entered in force
The dream towards the era of sustainable products progressed when the new ecodesign regulation entered into force in the EU in July. Read how to minimize environmental impacts using design and what kind of opportunities EU’s ecodesign regulation provides for designers.
The new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) entered in force 18.7.2024 and will progress to product-specific regulations (implementation acts). The regulation aims to make sustainable and responsible products the norm in the EU market.
The ecodesign regulation accelerates the transition from a linear product design model to a more responsible circular economy models in almost all product groups. It requires the product development team to have a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts throughout the product’s life cycle. Designer needs understanding of responsible and new materials and their manufacturing techniques. On the other hand, traditional design know-how in creating the user relationship of the product is emphasized increasing for example product -service models.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation(ESPR)
ESPR will replace previous ecodesign directive. ESPR is one of the EU regulations that aim to make concrete the implementation of the European Union’s green development program, industrial strategy and circular economy action plan. The regulation covers all products (physical goods and components), primarily electronics, ICT equipment, textiles and furniture, as well as intermediate products with a significant impact such as steel, cement and chemicals.
The key of ESPR is that life cycle thinking must be integrated into the product design phase. In the design of products, durability in use, reusability, upgradeability and repairability, substances of concern, energy and resource efficiency, recycled content of products, remanufacturing of products and high-quality recycling must be considered so that the value and quality of the product or material is maintained throughout the cycles.
If the product does not meet the eco-design requirements set for it, it may not be brought to the market or put into use in the European Union. Disposing of unsold products is also more difficult or prohibited. This applies first to unsold clothes and shoes in large companies and ban comes into force 19.7.2026.
An essential part of the regulation will be the digital product passport for processing and sharing of product-related information among companies, authorities and consumers in the supply chain. This is expected to increase transparency both for companies in the supply chain and for consumers, and to enhance the transfer of information.
Product design will require life cycle assessment and cooperation
The regulation focuses on minimizing environmental impacts by means of design. In the product phase, not only the responsibility of resources and materials is analyzed, but also, for example, how the parts or materials are recyclable in technical circulation (non-renewable raw materials) or in biological circulation (renewable materials) or, if there is possibility to use mono-material for making reuse and recycling easier. Depending on the goal, design could also take into account, for example, how parts or materials can best be disassembled so that the product can be repaired or spare parts can be used. It means even more cooperation between multidisciplinary teams and the development work of product and service models from a new perspective, evaluating old suppliers and finding new partnerships. Design teams must work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of the product, from materials to manufacturing processes, are in line with sustainability goals. Effective communication and cooperation are essential when creating sustainable products
The role of data gets bigger
Numerical data about the different phases of the life cycle enables comparison of products and materials. When implemented, the digital product passport would provide better information and facilitate reporting. At the moment, an environmental statement or EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is included in some products, which is a voluntary, transparent and established way of presenting the environmental effects of a product based on a life cycle assessment (LCA). However, information on all products or materials cannot yet be found or they are not comparable. One EU-level solution is PEF (Product Environmental Footprint), which is a method for comprehensively measuring the environmental impact of products. You can read an example of its use here.
Emphasis on the importance and appreciation of good design
Right now, production and consumption should be radically reduced. Most of the biodiversity loss and water stress are caused by resource extraction and processing. Utilization of natural resources produces about half of greenhouse emissions, and the utilization of resources only continues to grow (IRP 2019). New practices and case examples are needed. (EEA 2023). Enhancement or material recycling are an important part of the solution, but virgin raw material is often still needed to make a new material or product. Therefore, longevity and quality should be the ultimate goal. These goals are best achieved if critical thinking and design research are included in the project before any new product or material is designed.
Design would have the potential to participate even more strongly in the design of new business models such as remanufacturing and product-service models. However, if something new is produced from virgin raw materials, longevity and quality should be the goal. The regulation does not allow planned obsolescence.
The core competence of design essentially includes the design of products that are functional, durable and so pleasant that you want to repair and use them from generation to generation. The sustainability transition also means updating core competence, such as the development of new materials, innovative manufacturing processes or completely new product concepts that meet the needs of users in a more sustainable way.
The regulation’s effects on design extend beyond the physical product. Influencing purchasing and consumption behavior in different ways is very important. For example, packaging, services, store premises and websites as well as marketing can be designed so that they lead to sustainable choices.
Regulation timetable
Product-specific regulations will be prepared during this year and will be made for 30 new products by 2030, starting with the product groups causing most impact. Pre-and background investigations of textiles, low-temperature radiators, electric vehicle chargers and household appliances are currently underway.
In addition to this, 33 old products are being re-evaluated and five new product regulations are being prepared for energy-related products. The update of the computer eco-design regulation is already underway. Based on the previous directive, regulations regarding the durability, upgradeability and spare parts of portable phones and tablets will enter into force next year (2025).
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