EU ESPR is Coming in 2023: Act Now to become more Sustainable. [Podcast]

This regulation requires your products to be made more sustainably, such as with a minimum amount of recyclable material, and that your supply chain’s players and environmental impact are made fully transparent to market surveillance authorities. If products don’t comply they won’t be allowed to be sold in the EU (a similarly draconian approach was taken with medical devices being sold into the EU when the EU MDR came into law, so we have no reason to believe that the EU will make things easier). This may require you to redesign products and get information about energy use, emissions, pollution, materials and components used, etc, from suppliers that you’ve never had before. That means you’re behind the curve if you haven’t started work on this yet…

So, you need to start by assessing the environmental impact of your products being made overseas in China or elsewhere right now, and Renaud and Clive will explain how, as well as give some insight into how seriously this is being taken by Chinese manufacturers.

If you sell into the EU now, don’t skip this! And if you sell into other developed markets, such as Canada, the USA, the UK, etc, it still applies to you as similar legislation is coming.

Listen here!

Listen: Why YOU need to assess the Environmental Impact of Made-in-China Productions NOW

Watch: On YouTube

Episode sections

• 00:00 – Greetings and introducing the topic and our guest, Clive.
• 03:20 – The sustainability trend is embodied by the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation for putting products on the EU market. What is it?
• 07:37 – Does product design for sustainability play a role?
• 09:00 – Are any product categories in the crosshairs of the EU first?
• 18:00 – What are Chinese manufacturers doing about this sustainability requirement? Do they even know or care about it?
• 19:35 – Lithium-ion batteries: A growing environmental issue.
• 28:02 – Are other governments taking notice of this?
• 30:19 – How do companies usually assess the environmental impact of their products, including extraction and manufacturing?
• 33:12 – What a mobile phone lifecycle may include, and how ecodesign might affect how it’s designed and developed.
• 39:45 – How will ‘Fast Fashion’ be affected?
• 42:30 – What can businesses do to become compliant?
• 50:51 – Your new commercial decision will not only be about a supplier’s costs but also if they’re able to assist you to comply with the new Ecodesign regulation.
• 53:04 – What the product passport should include?
• 55:18 – Advice for you if you’re selling into the EU now.
• 59:03 – Wrapping up.

A disclaimer…

We are not lawyers. What we discussed above is based only on our understanding of the regulatory requirements. We do not present this information as a basis for you to make decisions, and we do not accept any liability if you do so. Please consult a lawyer before taking action.

Related content…

• Read our detailed guide to the ESP here: What is the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation?
• The EU Ecodesign Regulation Is Coming, But Are You Prepared? [Podcast part1]
• How To Comply With The EU Ecodesign Regulation? [Podcast part 2]
• If this episode has worried you and you feel you need help to take control and protect your business from being blocked from selling your products into the EU, Sofeast can help you. Take a look at this solution that we offer and speak to us about your project: EU Ecodesign Regulation Risk Assessment & Preparation

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

More episodes are coming, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Google Podcasts
• TuneIn
• Amazon Podcasts
• Deezer
• iHeartRADIO
• PlayerFM
• Listen Notes
• Podcast Addict
• Podchaser
• The podcast’s website at China Manufacturing Decoded

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!