Ecodesign Regulation: What Matters Now

On December 22, EU member states adopted the new Ecodesign Regulation. In the future, only products that are recyclable and have properties such as durability and energy efficiency will be placed on the market.

Among other things, the Regulation provides for the introduction of chemicals as a separate product category and defines ecodesign requirements for them. These requirements cover the entire life cycle of a product, including the extent to which it can be reused. Accordingly, a substance of concern exists if it “has a negative impact on the reuse and recycling of materials in the product in which it is contained.”

According to this very general definition, around 12,000 of the 23,000 chemicals registered in the EU are “substances of concern.” According to the European Chemical Industry Council, there is a risk that many substances will end up on the index across the board, even if they are safe to handle at another level. Industry representatives therefore call for a precise definition that includes product categories.

The final draft regulation is expected by the middle of this year. Definition of the ecodesign requirements for individual product categories will take until 2027.

Take care of the legal security of your products in good time. If you have any questions about the Ecodesign Regulation and the legal consequences associated with it, please contact us at sales@kft.de.