On December 22, 2023, the EU Member States adopted the new eco-design regulation. In future, only products that have been manufactured in a resource-saving manner, are durable, repairable and energy-efficient will be placed on the internal market. With this regulation, the EU primarily wants to stop the destruction of usable consumer goods such as textiles and shoes.
In the negotiations on the new Ecodesign Directive, the German government campaigned to strengthen the circular economy, promote the repair and recovery of raw materials and ban the destruction of usable products - with success.
The previous eco-design Directive only applied to energy-related products. The scope of the new Ecodesign Regulation now covers almost all products. The new regulation itself does not set any requirements for individual products. However, it formulates basic performance requirements that are to be defined in future in subordinate regulations for specific product groups (delegated acts). The performance requirements cover the entire life cycle of a product. They set out specifications for aspects of material, energy and resource efficiency, such as durability, reparability, reusability, ecological footprint or water, soil or air pollution. Once the regulation comes into force, the European Commission will launch the product regulations, starting with furniture, textiles and footwear, iron, steel, aluminum, cleaning products and chemicals. Transitional periods of 18 months are planned, with special consideration being given to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Source: BMUV and BMWK in Germany
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