European Commission 16 April 2025 adopted the "Working Plan for Ecodesign and Energy Labelling for Sustainable Products 2025-2030"This plan is a key document that specifies the products to be covered. The requirements of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Energy Labelling Framework Regulation (ELFR) will be implemented as a priority. They will apply for the next five years (2025-2030) and will undergo an interim evaluation in 2028 with the possibility of adjustments.

The ESRF Regulation, adopted in July 2024, aims to increase the circularity, energy efficiency and recyclability of products on the EU market. It sets out performance requirements and product information. The 2025-2030 working plan then selects the products to be covered. they will preferentially apply ecodesign requirements according to the ESPR and energy labelling according to the ELFR, and defines practical requirements for products falling under the priority of the ESPP.

According to this plan, the Commission based on research results from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and after the discussion at the Ecodesign Forum in 2025 selected priority productsThere are 4 types of final consumer products (focused mainly on textiles, specifically clothing), 2 types of intermediates (steel) and 16 types of energy-related products. The selection of energy-related products is based on the results of the previous "Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2022-2024". Once the relevant delegated acts enter into force, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) granted a transitional period of at least 18 monthsProducts not included in this plan will be reviewed during the interim review in 2028 (final consumer products and intermediate products) or in an additional working plan by December 2026 (energy-related products).

The work plan also sets out horizontal requirements. For priority horizontal requirements were determined (i) Durability and (ii) Recycled content and Recyclability. Horizontal requirements are criteria that are applied jointly to multiple products to increase their sustainability.The specific way in which they will be applied will be determined later through product-specific delegated acts. The application of these requirements to priority products under the EMFF and their planned timeframe are based on JRC studies from 2024.

This work plan represents a gradual approach to the implementation of the ESPD Regulation for individual product categoriesThe EU will further specify detailed requirements through delegated acts for each productIn this context, domestic companies exporting to the EU are required to: familiarize themselves with the content of the relevant delegated acts and strengthen their R&D capacities focused on product design. Spring