Making Circulation Circular: Why the EU’s ESPR Turns DPPs into Industry Essentials

August 18, 20250 Comments

Credits: European Commission

Brussels – August 2025 – The European Union has taken a giant leap toward a greener, more sustainable marketplace. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)—the EU’s newly minted regulation—began its journey to reshape product lifecycles on 18 July 2024. Replacing the old 2009 Ecodesign Directive, the ESPR broadens the scope from limited energy-focused goods to virtually all physical products sold within the EU, signaling an era where sustainability is non-negotiable.

The What & Why of ESPR

At its core, the ESPR rethinks how products are conceived, built, and circulated—pivoting toward durability, resource efficiency, and transparency. Products must now be:

  • Durable
  • Easily repairable
  • Recyclable
  • Free from harmful substances
  • Crafted with a strong sustainability footprint—and crucially, provide accessible information on these attributes.

This shift isn’t isolated—it’s part of the broader EU Circular Economy Action Plan, embedded in the European Green Deal, aimed at halving resource use by promoting sustainable design and reducing environmental impact.

For Whom Is This Made?

The ESPR isn’t just another environmental gesture—it’s mandatory for a swath of industries:

  • Electronics
  • Textiles and fashion
  • Furniture
  • Batteries
  • Construction materials (like iron, steel, aluminum)
  • Tires, paints, detergents, chemicals, and more.

Whether manufacturers are based in Europe or overseas, if they sell in the EU market, they must comply.

The Game-Changer: Digital Product Passports (DPPs)

A central pillar of ESPR is the Digital Product Passport—a digital dossier attached to each product via QR codes or similar identifiers that unlock a world of product information.

What’s in a DPP?

  • Material composition
  • Lifecycle and environmental impact data
  • Repair history or recyclability guidance
  • Safety documentation, conformity declarations, and contact details of responsible economic operators.

These passports elevate transparency, allowing not only consumers but also regulators and supply chain partners to trace, repair, reclaim, and recycle products more effectively.

Are DPPs mandatory? Yes—where ESPR’s delegated acts require them. The detailed requirements will roll out through sector-specific delegated acts, with first DPPs for batteries, textiles, and electronics expected between 2025 and 2030, and full rules by around 2030.

Why DPPs Matter to European Industries

  • Consumer Trust & Engagement: Shoppers can verify sustainability claims at a glance, reducing greenwashing and reinforcing brand credibility.
  • Supply Chain Efficiency: Businesses can monitor product sustainability at each stage—from raw material sourcing to end-of-life—boosting circularity and compliance.
  • Regulatory Safeguards: Rapid checks by market surveillance authorities become possible, as all compliance data is centralized and accessible.
  • New Business Models: DPPs enable product-as-a-service models, take-back schemes, remanufacturing, and resale, all integral to the circular economy.

Coming Soon: Working Plan & Industry Roadmap

The ESPR Working Plan 2025–2030, revealed in April 2025, lays out the phased deployment of ecodesign mandates for many product groups—textiles, furniture, electronics, and more—accelerating the push for DPP-enabled transparency.

The timeframe is tightening: delegated acts are expected soon for key sectors, with technology and textiles at the vanguard. Companies are advised to start:

  1. Identifying and mapping data across supply chains.
  2. Pilot-testing DPP systems (e.g., QR-enabled tags).
  3. Assigning internal teams or external consultants to navigate compliance.
  4. Investing in digital infrastructure and standard-compatible systems.

In Summary

The ESPR is not just another green policy—it’s Europe’s bold move toward embedding sustainability into every product lifecycle. For industries, the message is clear: digital transparency isn’t optional—it’s essential. Digital Product Passports are the backbone of this transition, transforming manufacturing, regulation, retail, and consumer behavior toward a circular, resilient European economy.

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