Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation):

The EU Ecodesign Regulation forms the basis for the mandatory introduction of the Digital Product Passport, which is expected from mid-2027. The first product groups to be affected will be textiles, furniture, tyres and mattresses, with other product groups to follow. In this article, you can find out what manufacturers and importers need to know to comply with the Ecodesign Regulation. 

The EU Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781) aims to improve the environmental sustainability of products by enhancing their circularity, energy efficiency, recyclability and durability. The aim is to reduce the carbon footprint across the entire life cycle of products.

The Ecodesign Regulation applies to all physical goods placed on the market or put into service in the EU.

However, the Ecodesign Regulation does not apply to the following products:

• Food
• Animal feed
• Medicinal products
• Veterinary medicinal products
• Living plants, animals and micro-organisms
• Products of human origin
• Products of plants and animals relating directly to their future reproduction
• Certain vehicles

The EU Ecodesign Regulation imposes so-called ecodesign requirements on products, which comprise both performance requirements and information requirements:

• improving the durability and reusability of products
• improving the possibilities for maintaining and refurbishing products
• increasing the energy and resource efficiency of products
• eliminating substances that hinder the circular economy
• increasing the proportion of recycled materials
• facilitating the refurbishment and recycling of products
• establishing regulations on CO2 and environmental footprints
• limiting waste generation
• horizontal ecodesign requirements such as general repairability
• improving the availability of information on product sustainability, including the Digital Product Passport (DPP)

The Ecodesign Regulation is in force since July 2024. Some of its provisions will apply from 2026 – for example, the prohibition of the destruction of unsold textiles, clothing and footwear, which will apply to large companies from 19 July 2026 and is expected to apply to medium-sized companies from 2030.

For some other provisions, so-called delegated acts or implementing acts must still be awaited, which define more precisely the requirements of the Ecodesign Regulation or specify how a requirement is to be implemented.

For the Digital Product Passport, the first delegated acts are expected in mid-2027, which will then specify the information requirements specifically by product group.

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured digital record containing all key information relating to the entire life cycle of the product concerned. A data carrier, such as a QR Code, must be affixed to the product (or its packaging) to provide access to the Digital Product Passport. 

The Digital Product Passport is not yet mandatory (as of April 2026). The first delegated acts on the Digital Product Passport are expected in mid-2027, which will define the information to be included depending on the product group. An 18-month transition period will then follow before the Digital Product Passport becomes mandatory. QR Planet will keep you up to date on this.

According to the European Commission’s Working Plan 2025–2030, the following product groups are prioritised:

• Textiles/clothing
• Furniture
• Tyres
• Mattresses
• Intermediate products: iron & steel, aluminium

Find out more about the Digital Product Passport in our article.

The EU Ecodesign Regulation is part of a package of measures designed to promote the transition to a circular, sustainable and competitive economy. It is a legally binding framework intended to help the European Union achieve its environmental and energy efficiency targets. Non-compliance with the EU Ecodesign Regulation will result in sanctions such as fines or exclusion from public procurement contracts.

The Digital Product Passport will gradually become mandatory for products on the European market. At present (as of April 2026), there is no indication that any product group will be exempt from the Digital Product Passport. You should therefore start looking into the information requirements and the technical implementation of the DPP already now, so as not only not to fall behind but to be part of this innovation.

The first delegated acts are expected in mid-2027, along with the details of which product-specific information must be provided in the Digital Product Passport. This information can be accessed in the Digital Product Passport via a data carrier attached to the product (or its packaging), such as a QR Code.

Businesses are faced with many questions – such as:

You should already start addressing all these questions and look for suitable solutions – be part of this innovative development.

With our DPP Manager, we offer a simple and efficient solution for the Digital Product Passport, enabling you to reliably meet the latest regulatory requirements

With QR Planet, you have a globally operating partner based in Austria who offers a web-based platform for creating QR Codes, the opportunity to generate and manage product information (automatically), and, on top of that, the possibility for next-level product marketing – all from a single source.

• We are GDPR-compliant
• host your data in Europe
• have over 10 years of experience with enterprise QR Code solutions
• provide ISO/IEC 15459-compliant GS1 QR Codes with Digital Link (see also article ‘GS1 QR Code Management’ https://qr1.at/gs1-qr-code-verwaltung)
• support you in meeting regulatory requirements with our DPP Manager
• offer a one-stop-shop solution for modern product labelling
• offer consultancy and, on request, end-to-end system integration with your PIM/ERP from a single source

You can find out more about our DPP Manager in our article on the Digital Product Passport.

At present (as of April 2026), there is no indication that any product groups will be exempt from the Digital Product Passport. The Digital Product Passport is being gradually introduced for an increasing number of products on the European market.

• Transparency & Traceability: You gain deeper insights into the lifecycle of your products.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Data flows become more efficient, and weaknesses are identified more quickly.
• Strengthening market position: You position yourself as a pioneer in sustainability and support sustainable product design.
• Innovation: With a single QR Code on the product, you become part of a forward-looking, digital development.

The biggest benefit for your business: In addition to the legally required information, you can use the attached QR Code as a direct channel to your customers. This opens up entirely new possibilities for your marketing:

• Performance measurement: Track customer interactions and analyze data with precision.
• Dynamic campaigns: Deliver exclusive additional content, discounts, or instructions directly at the point of sale.
• Customer loyalty: Bridge the gap between the physical product and your digital brand world.

Do you need help creating and effectively using QR Codes for your products? Are you looking for a hosting provider for the DPP or other information accessible via the QR Code? Would you like to integrate a system that automatically retrieves data from your existing PIM or ERP system? Contact us.

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