ESPR timeline 2024–2030: the dates that matter for online sellers
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) sets dates in two ways: some are fixed in the regulation itself, others depend on product-specific delegated acts that are still being written. This page separates the two.
In short
- 18 July 2024: ESPR entered into force.
- 19 July 2026: ban on destroying unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear applies to large enterprises.
- Mid-2026: the EU digital product passport registry is due to be operational.
- 18 February 2027: battery passport (under the Batteries Regulation, not ESPR).
- 2027 onwards: delegated acts for textiles and other priority groups expected; passports follow after a transition period.
Fixed dates
| Date | What happens | Who is affected |
|---|---|---|
| 18 July 2024 | ESPR enters into force | Framework only; no product obligations yet |
| 16 April 2025 | Commission adopts the ESPR and Energy Labelling working plan 2025–2030 | Sets priority product groups |
| 19 July 2026 | Ban on destroying unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear; disclosure of discarded unsold products | Large enterprises (medium-sized from 2030; micro and small exempt) |
| July 2026 | EU digital product passport registry due to be operational | Passport identifiers will be registered there once delegated acts apply |
| 18 February 2027 | Battery passport and battery QR codes (Batteries Regulation) | LMT batteries, industrial batteries above 2 kWh, EV batteries; QR codes on all batteries |
Expected dates (depend on delegated acts)
| Product group | Status in the working plan | Likely passport timing |
|---|---|---|
| Textiles and apparel | Top priority; delegated act tentatively planned for 2027 | After a transition period, so not before about 2028 |
| Steel and aluminium | Priority intermediate products | To be confirmed; mainly affects producers of these materials |
| Furniture, mattresses, tyres | Priority final products | Later in the 2028–2030 window |
| Electronics and other groups | Some covered by repairability and other horizontal measures | To be confirmed |
The ESPR generally gives businesses time between the adoption of a delegated act and the date its requirements apply. Treat any date in this second table as an estimate until the delegated act is published in the Official Journal.
The unsold goods rules in practice
The destruction ban is one of the first ESPR rules to bite. Large enterprises may no longer destroy unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear, with limited exceptions (for example for health, safety or hygiene reasons). They must also disclose how many unsold products they discard and why, with a standard reporting format from February 2027. Medium-sized enterprises follow in 2030. Micro and small enterprises are exempt from the ban, but they still benefit from planning returns and overstock so that destruction is never the default.
What a small Shopify store should do now
- Check whether you sell batteries or products containing LMT or industrial batteries; that is the 2027 deadline.
- If you sell textiles, start collecting fibre composition, origin and care data per product in a structured form.
- Give each product and variant a GTIN and keep batch records.
- Follow the publication of the textiles delegated act; it will define the data list and the start date.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), EUR-Lex
- SGS: EU releases ESPR working plan 2025–2030 prioritising textiles
- ESG Today: EU bans destruction of unsold clothing and footwear
- European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform: DPP timeline 2026–2030
This guide explains EU rules in general terms and is not legal advice. National rules and guidance can add requirements. Check the sources and, for your specific products, ask a lawyer or the competent authority. Last checked 31 October 2026.