New Ecodesign Regulation for the most sustainable products

According to current strategies, the sustainability of products, from design and manufacture to recycling, should become the standard in the EU. Consumers will then be better informed so that they can choose environmentally friendly goods more easily. On December 4, 2023, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union agreed on the amendment of the Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) for formal adoption.


Preparing for the new Ecodesign Regulation

On March 30, 2022, the EU Commission proposed a regulation to establish a framework of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products. Prior to this, certain regulations on ecodesign and energy labeling have already been implemented, which apply to high energy-consuming goods such as electrical appliances, refrigerators and washing machines. These regulations have improved environmental performance and reduced energy consumption.


Most sustainable products for the EU market

The amendment to the previous Ecodesign Regulation implements the proposals of the EU Commission’s “Green Deal”. The focus is on sustainability. The complete circular economy of products will become a new standard. Products in the EU, from development to use and reuse, are to become more recyclable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Consumers should be able to choose energy-efficient and longer-lasting goods more clearly. From 2025, targets will be introduced for several product groups to empower consumers. According to current proposals, only the most sustainable products will be sold in the EU. Consumers will then be better able to make eco-conscious purchasing decisions. Products should have a longer shelf life and be easier to repair so that resources can be saved.


Product groups of the new Ecodesign Regulation

The new regulations for the implementation of sustainability will initially apply to aluminum, iron, steel, textiles, furniture, tires, cleaning agents, paints, lubricants and chemicals. Other product groups such as pharmaceuticals, animal feed, food and living organisms will continue to be exempt.

According to Alessandra Moretti (Member of the European Parliament), the current harmful model of take, make, throw away, which is so damaging to our planet, our health and our economy, should be stopped through appropriate measures. This includes in particular the mass destruction of unsold textiles.


Textile consumption in the EU

European textile consumption has a harmful impact on the environment and climate change. It ranks fourth in terms of its impact on environmental damage, after the consumption of food, housing and mobility. According to estimates by market research firm Euromonitor International, 230 million textiles were shredded, incinerated or sold abroad as cheap goods in 2019.


Ban on the destruction of textiles

Two years after the new rules come into force, a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles, particularly clothing and shoes, is to be gradually introduced. The EU Parliament and the nations of the European Union still have to officially approve this.


Exceptions and transitional periods to the ban on the destruction of textiles

For medium-sized companies with 51 to 250 employees, a six-year transitional period would still apply after these requirements come into force. However, companies with more than 250 employees must comply with them without any exceptions. However, micro-enterprises would be exempt from the planned ban. In the future, the EU Commission plans to include further product groups in the ban on the destruction of unsold goods.


Avoidance of fast fashion

The ban on the destruction of textiles is directed against the common practice of throwing away seasonal fashion and the associated environmentally harmful and high textile consumption. It thus opposes fast fashion and offers more incentives to buy sustainable products. According to the proposals, only the most sustainable products, including clothing, should be sold in the EU. The products should then become more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable. By 2030, textiles placed on the European market should be more durable and more recyclable. They should be made from recycled fibers wherever possible and also be free from hazardous substances. A so-called “textile cycle ecosystem”, including innovative fiber-to-fiber recycling, should develop in the long term in order to avoid the destruction of textiles through incineration and landfilling as much as possible.


Digital product passport

The “Digital Product Passport” is one of the most important objectives of the new Ecodesign Regulation. It will support purchasing decisions for sustainable goods. It is expected to be introduced from 2027. According to the EU Commission, the “Digital Product Passport” is to be set up via a public web portal. Consumers can use it to find out about sustainable products and compare them with one another.

The portal provides them with comprehensive information on almost all products in the EU. These include household appliances, smartphones, textiles and many other product groups. Until now, a lack of sufficient information has made it almost impossible for consumers to consciously choose environmentally friendly products that meet environmental sustainability requirements such as durability and reparability . With more easily accessible information on sustainable products, it will be much easier to consume sustainably in future.


GSA measuring devices – sustainable measuring devices

GSA measuring devices are designed to be durable and maintainable for their entire service life, so you can use them for decades to come for measurements. They are more sustainable due to their long service life and maintainability. In the event of a defect or if parts of the device need to be replaced, we offer you the appropriate spare parts for GSA measuring devices .

All of our rechargeable measuring devices are fitted with high-quality, robust lithium-ion batteries that have passed all UN38.3 tests. As these rechargeable batteries can be recharged thousands of times, they are more resource-efficient than conventional batteries. When it comes to packaging materials and shipping our products, we also pay attention to environmentally friendly handling for sustainability.

Sources:

Image source: 123rf.com © anastassias, image no. 216563601

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