Ecodesign of products

The aim of ecological design, or ecodesign, is to ensure that consumers have access to sustainable products that are highly energy efficient and easily recyclable but that have a low impact on the environment The requirements of ecodesign provisions integrate environmental aspects and life-cycle thinking into the product design phase. The circular economy has become an important part of ecodesign.

At the EU level, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Ecodesign Directive provide the framework for the ecodesign of products. Ecodesign requirements will become binding on economic entities, such as product manufacturers and importers, only after specific ecodesign requirements have been drawn up for the product group in question under the leadership of the Commission. The Commission will publish a working plan on the product groups that will be prioritised at least every three years.

Ecodesign regulations will set requirements that will improve the energy efficiency of products or reduce their other environmental impacts (e.g. material efficiency, recyclability, sustainability, repairability, use of recycled materials). If a product fails to meet the applicable performance and information rules, it cannot be placed on the market or put into service in the EU.

Stakeholders and EU Member States will play a key role in the Commission’s product group-specific working groups, the EU Ecodesign Forum and the expert group of the Member States. It is important to act as early as possible in any efforts to influence the content of the regulations.

Specific requirements have been set for numerous product groups from washing machines to electric motors. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (Ecodesign Regulation) does not cover certain products, such as food, feed, medicines, live plants, animals and vehicles, because the requirements applicable to them are laid down in other EU legislation. 

• The current working plan is available on the Commission’s website: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2025–2030
• More information on the regulated product groups is available on the ekosuunnittelu.info website (in Finnish and Swedish).
• Energy labelling on the website of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

EU’s new Ecodesign Regulation and transition period

The EU’s Ecodesign Regulation entered into force on 18 July 2024. The Regulation is directly applicable legislation in all Member States. With the new Regulation, the scope of ecodesign regulation has expanded considerably. The Ecodesign Regulation lays down a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for products, introduces a digital product passport, strengthens requirements for public procurement and creates a framework for preventing the destruction of unsold consumer goods.

The Regulation will gradually replace the Ecodesign Directive, which has only applied to energy-related products. The Ecodesign Directive has been implemented in Finland by the Ecodesign Act and the Ecodesign Decree. This means that the Directive and the legislation based on it will remain in force alongside the new Regulation at least until 2030.

• Information on the project of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment concerning the national implementation of the EU Ecodesign Regulation is available on the Government website

Rules to prevent destruction of unsold consumer products

Regulation to prevent the destruction of consumer products aims to curb overproduction, prevent waste and conserve valuable economic resources for their intended use. The Ecodesign Regulation will require economic entities, such as manufacturers, importers or distributors, to disclose on their websites certain information about the unsold consumer products they have discarded. The Regulation will also introduce a ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, accessories and footwear.

The disclosure obligation will first apply to large companies. Medium-sized companies will come under the scope of application on 19 July 2030. The ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, accessories and footwear will enter into force on 19 July 2026. Initially, the ban will apply to large companies, while medium-sized companies will come under its scope on 19 July 2030. The Regulation has taken into account its effects on small and micro-enterprises by excluding them from the scope of application.