The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) (EU) 2024/1781 entered into force on 18 July 2024. It replaces the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC and significantly expands EU ecodesign rules to cover nearly all physical products, including chemicals and products containing chemical substances. For chemical manufacturers, importers, formulators, and downstream users, the ESPR introduces new obligations related to substances of concern, product sustainability, and data transparency, with a strong focus on lifecycle impacts and circularity.

Companies can now more easily assess the sustainability of the chemicals used in their products and processes with a new web application. ChemSelect is a free and user-friendly tool designed specifically with the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mind.