The Intelligence Hub for Digital Product Passport & Compliance

ESPR comes into force

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation becomes law, creating the legal basis for ecodesign rules and the Digital Product Passport across almost all physical goods.

Packaging regulation adopted

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation enters into force, starting an 18-month countdown before its rules apply.

First product groups named

The 2025–2030 ESPR working plan sets the first priorities, including textiles, furniture, tyres, mattresses, steel and aluminium. Work on detailed passport requirements begins.

EU passport registry due

The Commission’s central registry, which will store the unique identifiers linked to every Digital Product Passport, is due to be in place.

No more destroying unsold clothing

Large companies can no longer destroy unsold apparel and footwear, and must disclose what they discard and why.

Packaging rules start to apply

The general application date of the PPWR. Obligations then phase in over the following years.

Stricter rules on green claims

The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive applies: vague environmental claims and offset-based “climate neutral” product claims are banned unless they can be proven.

Deforestation rules for larger firms

Large and medium-sized operators, and traders, must show that covered products such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy and wood are deforestation-free.

Digital Battery Passport required

Every EV battery, light-means-of-transport battery and industrial battery above 2 kWh placed on the EU market needs a passport. It is the first mandatory product passport in EU law.

Deforestation rules for small firms

Micro and small operators are brought into scope for the remaining covered products.

First ESPR product passports

Passports are expected for the first priority groups, such as textiles and clothing, furniture, steel and aluminium, as each delegated act is adopted. Timing is indicative.

One labelling system for packaging

Harmonised labels tell consumers how to sort each piece of packaging. The date can move later, depending on when the implementing acts are adopted.

Recyclable packaging becomes the rule

• All packaging must meet design-for-recycling grade A, B or C.
• Plastic packaging needs a minimum share of recycled content, between 10% and 35% depending on the type.
• Empty space in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging is capped at 50%.

Recyclable in practice, not just on paper

Packaging must be “recycled at scale”: actually collected, sorted and recycled across the EU, not only recyclable in theory.

Only the best-performing packaging

Grade C packaging is phased out. Only packaging rated A or B for recyclability can be placed on the market.

Higher recycled-content targets

Minimum recycled content in plastic packaging rises again, to between 25% and 65% depending on the type, as circularity targets tighten.