Legislations made easy:
In 2024, the EU introduced a new regulation requiring all products sold in the EU to carry a Digital Product Passport (DPP). Together with other product related improvements, it represents a key part of the Ecodesign law (ESPR) as this passport will show exactly where products come from, how they are made, and how to best repair or recycle them — pushing us towards a circular economy and less waste.
The passport will act as your go-to digital information hub as it provides a complete overview of a product's entire journey — from raw materials to recycling or disposal — empowering you and your customers to fight greenwashing, find reliable information, and make truly informed purchase decisions.
This passport will also play a key role in future company sustainability reporting, as it will present a product's environmental impact directly.
At this moment, the EU has decided that the passport must include details such as:
A product's origin
Defined product materials
Environmental impact
Disposal recommendations
Unique product identifier
Compliance documentation
Information on substances of concern
User manuals and safety instructions
What does this mean to you as a customer?
The company that imports a product into the EU for sale will be responsible for gathering and providing this passport information to consumers. This means you, as a reseller, should be able to get this information directly from your supplier in the EU.
The move towards full product transparency is well underway, starting with the new Ecodesign law's acceptance in 2024.
It was decided then that by 2026, products like textiles, electronics, toys, and batteries would be the first product groups to publish a passport.
But this is only the start! From 2027 to 2030, more product groups will be added, and the reporting will become even more comprehensive. As this is an ongoing journey, of course we will be up to date! We will keep you informed on any changes regarding the passport as they become available!
Want to learn about the details? You can find it here!
Greenwashing
Effective from March 27, 2024, the greenwashing directive (also known as the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive) addresses the language used in environmental claims. It sets strict rules on what words are not allowed without clear evidence to support them.
CSRD- The Reporting law
With the European Union's goal set on Net Zero 2050, companies will need to start reporting on (timing depending on size of company) their full environmental and social impact next to their financial results.
EPR- Extended Producer Responsibility
EPR is not a law. Instead, it is a principle that guides many (new) laws linked to improving reuse, repair and recycle solutions. For example, EPR first appeared in regulation for electronics (WEEE Directive) and batteries.
EUDR- EU Deforestation Regulation
Under the deforestation law, deforestation is specifically defined as a change in land use. Any land that used to be classified as forest, and has been cleared from that forest after 31 December 2020, is marked as deforested land. No matter if the forest is cleared by human activity or natural events
PPWR- Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Packaging (waste) is a growing problem, and its consumption is increasing faster than our economies and population (the average EU inhabitant’s consumption grew from 157.2kg in 2011 to 186.5kg in 2022). The packaging consumes many resources, has several inefficiencies in its use and is often difficult to recycle.
ESPR- The Ecodesign law
As an incredibly important piece of the EU's sustainability puzzle, the Ecodesign law is part of a larger set of measures. It directly supports the ambitions of the Circular Economy Action Plan that was laid out by the EU in 2020.