3 regulatory changes impacting EU manufacturing industries

Common to all new regulatory changes is that they are aimed at promoting sustainability, transparency, circular economy, repairability, and data accessibility. Most key regulations are issued by the European Union.

The EU Sustainable Products Initiative, SPI, aims to enhance the environmental performance of products throughout their lifecycle. The regulatory tool to implement the goals of the SPI is ESPR, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which entered into force in July, 2024.

ESPR sets specific ecodesign requirements for products. Product design needs to meet new standards on durability, reparability, energy efficiency, recycling, upgradability, and waste reduction. More detailed product information has to be provided upfront, which may require updates to technical documentation.

According to the initiative and the regulation, manufacturers are required to substantiate their green claims, setting an end to groundless greenwashing in marketing. Companies must back any environmental claims by recognized certifications or eco-labels.

The new EU Battery Regulation, which came into effect in August 2023, replaces the 2006 Batteries Directive and introduces stringent requirements aimed at fostering a sustainable and circular battery market. This regulation is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal, addressing the entire lifecycle of batteries from production to recycling.

From mid-2025, all batteries will need to meet specific carbon footprint declarations and performance classes. The regulation also sets ambitious targets for recycling efficiency and material recovery. By 2027, all collected waste batteries must achieve high levels of recovery, thus supporting a circular economy.

Starting in 2027, each industrial battery and electric vehicle (EV) battery will be required to have an electronic record, or "battery passport," containing detailed information about the battery's composition, carbon footprint, and lifecycle.

Set to take effect in autumn 2025, the EU Data Act introduces comprehensive measures to ensure data accessibility and protection for users of connected products. A particular new challenge for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is the need to design and manufacture connected products in a way that empowers users (businesses or consumers) to easily and securely access, use and share the generated data.

Manufacturers must adhere to FRAND terms, i.e., Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory, for data access within the EU, promoting fair competition and innovation. The act also incorporates provisions to safeguard trade secrets and intellectual property embedded in user data, balancing the need for data access with the protection of sensitive business information.

By embracing these regulations, manufacturing companies can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future while enhancing trust and operational efficiency.

Dealing with regulatory issues can be complex and at a minimum requires keeping track of any new regulations. To keep up with things, one needs skill and knowledge to understand how they might affect the company, its products, and final customers.

The most sensible way to ensure compliancy is to have a resourceful partner with the necessary know-how. Etteplan keeps its customers constantly up to date about regulations affecting industrial environments, solving challenges across the full spectrum from R&D to recycling.