Regulation (EU) 2024/1781
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 establishes a comprehensive framework for setting ecodesign requirements to improve the sustainability of products placed on the EU market. It replaces Directive 2009/125/EC and expands the scope beyond energy-related products to cover a wide range of goods, including electronics, textiles, furniture, and packaging.
The regulation aims to enhance product durability, reparability, recyclability, energy efficiency, and the use of recycled content, while reducing environmental impacts throughout the product lifecycle. It introduces a Digital Product Passport to provide transparent information on product composition, repair options, and environmental performance. Manufacturers must comply with new requirements on material efficiency, hazardous substance restrictions, and circular design principles.
By extending product lifecycles and improving resource efficiency, the regulation supports the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Green Deal, and climate neutrality objectives. It also addresses packaging and food-related products, indirectly contributing to biowaste reduction by minimizing packaging waste and improving product performance in sectors such as refrigeration and food processing. These measures aim to reduce waste generation, foster innovation, and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, circular economy.
Relevance to bio-waste and/or circular bioeconomy:
The regulation promotes circular economy principles by reducing packaging and food waste through improved product and packaging design. By extending product lifecycles and encouraging resource efficiency, it indirectly supports biowaste reduction and sustainable material use. These measures complement EU strategies for waste prevention and valorisation, reinforcing the link between ecodesign and circular bioeconomy objectives.
EU (EEA relevance)
Full title: Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, amending Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Directive 2009/125/EC (Text with EEA relevance)
Publication date: 2024
Instrument type: Regulation
Binding for EU MS: Yes
Keywords: ecodesign, sustainable products, circular economy, waste reduction, product durability, reparability, recyclability, energy efficiency, packaging, resource efficiency