ESPR
The ESPR Working Plan 2025–2030
Which product groups the European Commission prioritised in the ESPR Working Plan, the horizontal measures it introduced and how the delegated act calendar works.
Published on 16 April 2025, COM(2025) 187 turned ESPR's abstract framework into a concrete calendar: roughly 33 candidate categories were narrowed to six priority product groups and two horizontal measures.
The priority product groups
| Group | Type | Indicative DA year |
|---|---|---|
| Iron & steel | Intermediate | 2026 |
| Aluminium | Intermediate | 2027 |
| Textiles / apparel | Final | 2027 |
| Tyres | Final | 2027 |
| Furniture | Final | 2028 |
| Mattresses | Final | 2029 |
Taking intermediate products first is deliberate: steel and aluminium are inputs to thousands of finished goods, so their data infrastructure cascades up the chain. See DPP for iron and steel and DPP for aluminium.
Horizontal measures
- Repairability scoring (2027, indicative): a product-group-independent score for electronics and small appliances. See the Right to Repair Directive.
- EEE recycled content and recyclability (2029): material circularity for electrical and electronic equipment. See WEEE, RoHS and REACH.
Energy-related products transfer across
Products under the old Ecodesign Directive move to ESPR, with the transition completing by 31 December 2026: dishwashers in 2026, EV chargers and refrigeration in 2028, phones and tablets in 2030. See from the Ecodesign Directive to ESPR.
The textile scoping nuance
The first textile wave covers apparel and accessories only; footwear sits outside it — a distinction frequently confused on the supplier side. See the textile DPP guide and DPP for footwear.
What it means for exporters
- Being on the list does not fix your date — add the delegated act and its transition period.
- Being off the list is not an exemption — the plan is revised in 2028, and customer demand moves faster than regulation.
- Intermediate producers get asked earlier — steel and aluminium suppliers will have to supply data before finished-goods makers do.
See the timeline guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the plan narrowed so much?
The Commission prioritised feasibility: each group needs a JRC preparatory study, consultation and a delegated act. A short list means a calendar that can actually be delivered.
Can new groups be added?
Yes. The 2028 mid-term review is the designated point for updating the plan.
Are food and medicines in scope?
No. Food, feed and medicinal products are excluded from ESPR's scope.
