Ecodesign regulation: Council adopts position

The Council has adopted its position (‘general approach’) on the proposed regulation establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products. The new regulation will replace the existing 2009 directive and enlarge the scope to set environmental sustainability requirements for almost all kind of goods placed on the EU market. It establishes a Digital Product Passport and sets out rules regarding transparency about and prohibition of the destruction of unsold consumer goods.

The Council position improves the framework for the Commission empowerment on the setting of ecodesign requirements and reinforces the ambition of this regulation through a direct ban on the destruction of unsold textiles (with an exemption for micro and small enterprises and a transition period for medium sized companies). It excludes motor vehicles from the scope of the directive and gives companies a minimum time to adapt to new requirements coming from the Commission.