Textiles and footwear, or paper pulp, are among the final and intermediate products, respectively, identified in the report from the JRC published this November. The report also highlights horizontal requirements such as durability. The report aims to identify priorities for the first work plan under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). It is the result of analysis conducted by the JRC, the Commission’s internal body that provides independent scientific and technical advice to support EU policies. Therefore, it is not a binding report and does not commit the European Commission, nor does it prejudice future priorities that the Commission may establish.

The report will be one of the sources contributing to the development of the first ESPR Work Plan, which the Commission must adopt within nine months of the regulation coming into force—by April 19, 2025, at the latest—and after consulting the members of the Ecodesign Forum.

The JRC analysis, which can be consulted via this link, has identified potential priorities for the preparation of the first ESPR Work Plan:

• – Final products: textiles and footwear, furniture, tires, mattresses, detergents, paints and varnishes, lubricants, cosmetics, toys, fishing gear, and absorbent hygiene products—such as diapers, sanitary pads, tampons, adult incontinence products, and wipes.
• – Intermediate products: iron and steel, basic chemicals, non-ferrous and non-aluminum metals, aluminum, plastics and polymers, paper pulp, and glass.
• – Horizontal requirements: durability, recyclability, and recycled content.

To compile the report, the JRC evaluated and ranked the relevance of various product groups and horizontal requirements based on their potential impacts and improvements, taking into account parameters like environmental sustainability, circularity, and market relevance.

Picture: Building of the Joint Research Center (JRC), in Seville, Spain. Author: José Luis Filpo Cabana – CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15563217