On 28 June 2024, Regulation 2024/1781 “establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products”, known as the “Ecodesign” Regulation, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It applies to “the widest possible range of products”, from which cosmetics and their packaging are not excluded.
The key points of Regulation 2024/1781
• 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.
• It creates a framework that encourages waste reduction, reuse, recycling, the inclusion of recycled content in products and the fight against hazardous chemicals.
• It also establishes a digital product passport and a “unique product identifier”, and takes steps to prevent unsold consumer products from being destroyed.
• It applies to “the widest possible range of products”, which does not exclude cosmetics and their packaging.
• Commission delegated acts will set the ecodesign requirements according to product types or groups.
• These Regulations come into force on 18 July 2024. There will be transition periods until 31 December 2026.
The main concepts of Regulation 2024/1781
Definitions
• Product: any physical goods that are placed on the market or put into service.
• Ecodesign: the integration of environmental sustainability considerations into the characteristics of a product and the processes taking place throughout the product’s value …
