Based on the "Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 establishing a framework for setting eco-design requirements for sustainable products", the EU Commission will gradually introduce environmental requirements for certain product groups. In theory, all physical products, components, and intermediate products sold or launched in the EU could be affected. Priority will be given in the coming years to eco-design requirements for groups such as iron and steel, aluminium, textiles, furniture, tyres, and mattresses.

The DIHK leaflet provides an overview of significant developments under the Eco-design Regulation and outlines amongst others the performance and information requirements businesses will face, such as reusability, repairability, recycled content, or resource use.

Digital Product Passport and Destruction Bans

A dedicated section focuses on the digital product passport, which will be gradually implemented as mandatory from 2027. This is designed to include information about the eco-design requirements applied to the product, which can then be made available to stakeholders along the supply chain as needed.

The new reporting obligations on the destruction of unsold goods, the ban on destroying textiles and shoes (which will apply to large companies from 19 July 2026), as well as the differing impacts on businesses of various sizes, are also covered.

An easy-to-follow timetable summarises all major deadlines up to 2030. The document thus provides a concise decision-making aid for identifying necessary actions early on, adapting processes, and leveraging the opportunities of the Eco-design Regulation for sustainable product design and competitiveness.

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DIHK leaflet: The European Eco-design Regulation (only available in German) (PDF, 115 KB)