Last night, the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the regulation on ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, expanding the scope of the Ecodesign Directive beyond energy-related products to cover the broadest possible range of items. This regulation aims to make sustainable products the norm in the Union market. The S&D leadership on the file allowed the strengthening of the measures proposed by the European Commission, ensuring the overall environmental integrity of the text.

With the agreement reached, the European Commission now has the capacity to set specific environmental requirements for products, including elements such as durability, reparability, environmental footprint, and the presence of harmful chemical substances. A new “product passport,” containing accurate and up-to-date information, will also be required for all products to increase transparency, enhance the functioning of the circular economy, and enable consumers to make informed purchasing choices.

The S&D Group successfully intervened in addressing the destruction of unsold goods in the new ecodesign rules, achieving a ban on the destruction of unsold textile and footwear products – a provision not initially included in the Commission’s proposal. The S&Ds also ensured more clarity on the first products that would be potentially regulated, by including a list of priority products for the Commission to consider*.

Alessandra Moretti, S&D MEP and European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the Ecodesign Regulation, said:

 "It is high time we moved away from the detrimental 'take, make, dispose' model that adversely impacts our planet, health, and economy. Future product designs should prioritise benefits for all, show respect for our planet, and ensure environmental protection. Sustainable products will become the norm, allowing consumers to save energy, repair and make smart environmental choices when they are shopping. Additionally, the ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear will play a crucial role in reshaping the manufacturing practices of the fast-fashion industry."

The deal reached still needs to be adopted by the European Parliament and the EU member states.

* The product groups covered include iron, steel, aluminium, textiles, furniture, tyres, detergents, paints, lubricants, chemicals, energy-related products, and Information and Communication Technologies products and other electronics.