Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, which establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for products, came into force on 18 July 2024. Delegated acts of the Commission are to lay down the rules according to types or groups of products. In its recent report, the JRC (Joint Research Centre) provides some food for thought on this subject.
This Regulation is part of the European Green Pact and its objectives of moving from a linear economy to a “non-toxic” circular economy, ensuring greater energy efficiency and decarbonisation. It is intended to guarantee the sustainability of products, with uniform ecodesign requirements throughout the EU market.
The JRC report assessed the potential of different products to be regulated under this Regulation.
the relevance of a number of product groups and horizontal requirements was evaluated and scored in terms of impacts and improvement potential on the basis of several parameters: environmental sustainability and circularity, market relevance, existing and planned policy coverage, cost reflections, and contribution towards an EU Open Strategic Autonomy.
This exercise resulted in a list of potential priority products (final and intermediate) and horizontal requirements for future ESPR action.
Cosmetics in the Top 11
Conclusion: cosmetic products, which were not considered a priority in the text of the Regulation, are indeed, according to the JRC’s analysis.
“As a result of the analysis, eleven final products (highest to lowest score: Textiles and footwear, Furniture, Tyres, Bed mattresses, Detergents, Paints and varnishes, Lubricants, Cosmetics, Toys, Fishing gears, and Absorbent hygiene products), seven intermediate products (Iron and steel, Commodity chemicals, Non-ferrous, non-aluminium …
