Ecodesign Regulation
The Ecodesign Regulation is a framework regulation in the European Union that sets product-group-specific requirements for environmental sustainability, circularity, and information disclosure for products.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Positioning
The Ecodesign Regulation refers to the EU ESPR. It is a framework regulation aimed at making products more environmentally sustainable and circular, and the specific requirements for each product group will be set out in future delegated acts.
ESPR is not the name of a certification scheme or material certification. It is not something that gives ESPR certification to a specific fabric; rather, it is a regulation to be addressed by checking the applicable products, requirements, and timing on a case-by-case basis.
Scope and Approach to Criteria
Under the ESPR, durability, reparability, reusability, use of recycled materials, resource efficiency, substances of concern, and environmental information are among the items considered. Which items are required depends on the rules for each product group.
Textile and apparel products are one of the product groups to be considered as a priority. Not only fabric, but also the design and supply chain information for the entire product, including trims, processing, and sewing, may be relevant to compliance.
- Simply using recycled materials does not by itself prove compliance with the ESPR.
- The requirements apply to businesses placing products on the EU market.
- Check the relevant delegated acts for the exact scope and criteria.
Points to Check for Fabric Procurement and Product Development
When procuring fabric, confirm whether you can obtain from your supplier information on blend ratio, raw material origin, evidence of recycled content, dyeing and finishing processes, and information on chemical substances used. It is important to manage documents by linking them to each lot and product number.
In product planning, also consider designs that enable long-term use, ease of repair, and ease of sorting. Composite materials and non-removable trims can make circular use more difficult, so performance, design, and post-collection handling should be considered together.
- Scope and validity of supplier declarations, test reports, and certificates
- Composition of fabric, trims, and processing steps, and the history of changes
- Records of product numbers, lots, and usage amounts that can be tracked at product level
- Whether sales are made to the EU and the specifications and data items requested by business partners
Notes on Labels and Certificates
Under the ESPR, a digital product passport that provides product information electronically is expected to be required for some product groups. However, not all textile products will immediately be subject to the same labeling obligations. Design labels only after checking the applicable law.
Certificates such as GRS and GOTS, and compliance documents related to chemical substances, may be useful as evidence for procurement information. However, obtaining these certifications alone does not automatically prove compliance with the ESPR.
- For environmental claims, clearly identify the supporting documentation and the scope it covers.
- For certificates, confirm the issuer, target product, target process, and validity period.
- Do not rely only on vague claims such as "eco-friendly"; provide verifiable information.
Differences from Similar Terms
The REACH Regulation is the EU regulation concerning the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals. The ESPR also deals with substances of concern, but it differs in that it is a framework for designing products to include circularity and information provision.
The digital product passport is a system for providing product information electronically. The ESPR is a regulation that may serve as the basis for setting introduction requirements for each product group, and the two do not mean the same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ESPR a fabric certification?
No. The ESPR is a framework for EU product regulation and is not a certification granted to fabric. What is specifically required for textile products is confirmed in the delegated acts for the relevant product group. Existing material certifications may be part of the supporting documentation, but they alone do not constitute compliance.
If products are sold only within Japan, is ESPR compliance still necessary?
In general, if products are not placed on the EU market, they are not directly subject to the ESPR. However, businesses may still be required to prepare information on material composition, chemical substances, and the supply chain in anticipation of customer procurement standards or future overseas sales.
What should be prepared for the digital product passport?
First, organize the material composition of each product, the suppliers for raw materials, processing, and sewing, the basis for certifications and tests, and the relationship between product numbers and lots. The actual required data items and data formats depend on the law for each product group, so check the latest requirements and the instructions of the sales destination.
