Update from the EU Ecodesign Forum: Progress on ESPR Methodology

11 March 2026

On 24 November 2025, the European Commission convened the Ecodesign Forum, bringing together Member States, industry, NGOs and technical experts to discuss progress on the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) implementation and methodology. The meeting focused on updates from the Commission and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) on how the new framework for developing ecodesign requirements will be applied across product groups.

The session opened with an update on the state of play of ESPR implementation, including timelines for preparatory studies and stakeholder consultations. Several product groups are already progressing through preparatory studies, including textiles, tyres, iron and steel, appliances, electric motors, electronic displays and horizontal repairability requirements.

For intermediate products, progress is most advanced for iron and steel, where preparatory work has already begun. This work will help shape the first delegated acts under ESPR and will provide useful insight into how requirements may be developed for other intermediate materials. For aluminium, preparatory work is expected to start once the ESPR Working Plan is adopted, with studies likely to begin during 2026. The examples currently being developed for iron and steel are therefore expected to provide an early indication of how the methodology could be applied to aluminium products.

A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to the JRC’s methodological framework for ESPR, which will underpin the evaluation of products and the development of future regulatory requirements. These methods aim to ensure a transparent and consistent approach across product groups. The following JRC methodological studies were presented and discussed:

• Method for the assessment of life-cycle environmental impacts of products
• Method to assess the relevance of circularity aspects
• Method for the assessment of potential contribution to EU open strategic autonomy (OSA)
• Method for the assessment and preparation of restriction measures for the definition and tracing of substances of concern (SoC)
• Method for the ranking of potential requirements based on expected impacts and costs
• Method for the assessment of product aspects across product ranges for future horizontal requirements
• Methods for the definition of classes of performance and labels
• Method for the definition of requirements in the Digital Product Passport (DPP)
• Method for the integration of support to ESPR impact assessments within product evaluation
• Method for the definition of mandatory Green Public Procurement requirements

All methodological studies are available through the JRC publications repository

Looking ahead, the Commission confirmed that the methodology will continue to be tested in ongoing preparatory studies and pilot projects, with a broader consultation process planned for 2026 and finalisation of the overall methodology expected by 2028.

ASI will continue to follow these developments closely, particularly as the work progresses toward aluminium-relevant product groups. Further updates will be shared with members as the preparatory studies and ESPR working plan evolve.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE