CSRD has been postponed due to the "Stop-the-clock" initiative. Follow the latest updates and read more here

CSDDD has been postponed due to the "Stop-the-clock" initiative. Follow the latest news and read more here

About the regulation:

• Adopted as an EU regulation (EUDR – EU Deforestation Regulation) and replaces the previous Timber Regulation (EUTR)
• Companies are expected to document that certain products traded on the EU market do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation
• They are expected to document the origin of relevant goods and ensure they are not produced from raw materials that cause deforestation. A due diligence statement must be submitted before trading

Purpose:

• Enhance transparency and traceability
• Reduce deforestation

Scope:

• Applies directly in all EU member states without the need for national implementation
• Applies to companies trading or producing goods such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, and timber. Also includes derived products such as leather, chocolate, paper, and wood products

Timeline:

• Q3 2023: Entered into force in June with a transition period
• Q4 2025: Large and medium-sized companies must comply from 30 December
• Q3 2026: Small and micro-enterprises must comply from 30 June

About the passport:

• A central digital tool that compiles product information, and is expected to include details such as technical performance, repairability, recyclability, and environmental impact
• To be used as digital labeling and documentation (e.g., safety, user manuals, and compliance)
• Developed in two tracks: one common system (how) and one product-specific data regulation (what)

Purpose:

• To promote sustainability, compliance, and traceability across the EU internal market

Timeline:

• Q4 2025: Adoption of standards in December
• Q3 2026: Design of the DPP registry in July
• Q2 2027: First product group (large batteries, followed by textiles) expected to comply with the requirements from February

About the regulation:

• The regulation sets requirements for product design with the aim of extending product lifespan, increasing durability, and improving energy efficiency
• Products must be designed to be reusable, repairable, and ultimately recyclable

Key elements of the regulation include:

• Product design (durability, reuse, repair, recycling)
• Information requirements for products (Digital Product Passport)
• Restrictions on harmful chemicals

Scope:

• Adopted as a framework regulation that applies to nearly all products on the EU market, except food, feed, and medicine

Timeline:

• Q3 2024: The regulation entered into force on 18 July 2024
• Q2 2025: The work plan was adopted on 19 April 2025. The first products must comply with the rules by this date
• Delegated acts for specific product groups & criteria:
• 2026: Iron & steel
• 2027: Tyres, textiles, aluminium, reparability
• 2028: Furniture
• 2029: Recyclability/recycled content, mattresses

EU legal text:

• Ecodesign Regulation

About the directive:

• The directive amends two existing EU directives:
• Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices
• Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights
• It includes requirements for:
• Information on product durability and repairability
• Substantiation and documentation of environmental claims
• Harmonization of labels and warranty notices

Purpose:

• To strengthen the role of consumers in the green transition
• To ensure transparency through better product information on:
• Durability
• Update options
• Repair options
• To support fair competition through requirements for substantiating environmental claims

Scope:

• Applies to companies (manufacturers and retailers) selling products to consumers in the EU

Timeline:

• Q3 2025: The Commission sets the design and content of harmonized labels and warranty notices
• Q1 2026: Deadline for member states to transpose the directive into national law, no later than 27 March 2026
• Q3 2026: Implementation period ends, and the rules enter into force in member states on 27 September 2026

EU legal text:

• ECGT Directive

About the regulation:

• It prohibits products made with forced labour on the EU internal market and in trade with third countries
• Applies to the entire value chain – from raw materials to finished goods
• Applies directly in all member states without the need for national implementation
• Authorities (national and the European Commission) can initiate investigations in case of suspicion
• Companies may be required to recall and destroy products from the market, but products can be reintroduced if forced labour is removed from the value chain

Purpose:

• To exclude products made with forced labour and protect human rights and to ensure fair competition and promote responsible supply chains in the EU

Scope:

• In contrast to the CSDDD, it applies to all companies trading products on the EU market – regardless of size and country of origin
• Companies whose value chains include regions at risk of forced labour
• National authorities and the European Commission with powers to investigate and enforce

Timeline:

• Q4 2024: The regulation entered into force in December 2024
• Q4 2027: The regulation is expected to become fully applicable, and companies must comply with all provisions from 14 December 2027

EU legal text:

• Forced Labour Regulation

About the directive:

• A proposed directive aimed at harmonizing the use of voluntary environmental claims in marketing and communication
• Introduces requirements for scientific substantiation of green claims
• Violations of the directive may be penalized with fines of at least 4% of turnover in the affected countries
• Member states will have 24 months to implement the directive after its adoption

Purpose:

• To ensure credible and substantiated green claims
• To combat greenwashing and protect consumers
• To create fair and consistent competition conditions across the EU

Scope:

• Applies to all companies using voluntary environmental claims in marketing and communication
• Exception: micro-enterprises with ≤10 employees and annual turnover < €2 million

Timeline:

• Q2 2024: The Council adopted its general approach
• Q1 2025: First trilogue took place
• Q3 2025: Second trilogue scheduled

EU legal text:

• Green Claims Directive

About the regulation:

• Replaces Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste
• Sets targets for reducing packaging waste and requirements for reuse and recycling, especially for take-away and transport packaging
• Introduces minimum recycled plastic content in certain types of packaging
• Bans unnecessary packaging and certain single-use products
• Requires biodegradable materials for items such as fruit stickers, tea bags, and coffee pods
• Applies directly in all member states without the need for national implementation

Purpose:

• To reduce packaging waste in the EU through increased reuse, recycling, and use of sustainable materials
• To ensure environmentally friendly packaging design throughout its entire life cycle

Scope:

• Applies to producers, suppliers, distributors, and users (businesses) of packaging, especially in take-away and transport sectors
• Applies to companies marketing packaged products in the EU
• Involves national authorities responsible for enforcing the regulation

Timeline:

• Q1 2025: PPWR entered into force
• Q3 2026: Danish companies will be subject to the regulation from 12 August 2026
• Q1 2030: Product-specific requirements

EU legal text:

• Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

About the regulation:

• Key proposed changes include:
• Expanded registration requirements for more substances
• Stricter risk assessment requirements, especially for endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic substances
• Simplified communication about chemical hazards throughout the value chain
• Streamlined authorization and restriction procedures, including group-level substance regulation

Purpose:

• To strengthen protection against hazardous chemicals and improve regulation throughout the value chain
• More harmonized enforcement across member states

Scope:

• REACH affects all actors who produce, import, use, or market chemical substances and products

Timeline:

• Q4 2025: The proposal is expected to be presented by the European Commission

About the directive:

• Proposal to revise the EU Waste Framework Directive by introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles
• Includes requirements for registration, reporting, and financing of waste management
• Covers eco-modulation of fees and requirements for collection and sorting
• To be implemented through national legislation by member states

Purpose:

• To assign responsibility to producers and importers for the management of textile waste
• To promote waste prevention, reuse, material recycling, and circular business models

Scope:

• Companies (producers, importers, distributors) placing textile products on the EU market for the first time
• Applies to both physical and digital sales channels
• Product types: clothing, household textiles, and certain types of footwear

Timeline:

• Q1 2025: Preliminary agreement on the final text in February
• Q4 2025: Expected adoption in November
• Q4 2025 – Q2/Q3 2027: Member states have 20 months from adoption to implement the directive into national law
• Q2/Q3 2027 – Q2/Q3 2028: Companies have 10 months to prepare
• Q2 2028: Expected entry into force in Denmark. From this point, companies will be required to comply with the EPR obligations

EU legal text:

• Waste Framework Directive

About the directive:

• Proposed directive aimed at strengthening the right to repair and extending product lifespan
• Must be implemented by member states no later than 24 months after publication
• Applies to repairs both within and beyond the legal warranty period
• Covers only products subject to Ecodesign rules (see annex to the directive)

Purpose:

• To promote sustainable consumption and reduce waste
• To make repair more economically and practically accessible for consumers
• To encourage manufacturers to design longer lasting and repairable products
• To support the transition to a circular economy and reduce climate and environmental impact

Scope:

• Manufacturers: Must offer repair services beyond the legal warranty period for certain products
• Retailers: Subject to rules within the warranty period when selling goods to consumers
• Consumers: Gain the right to repair and the option for a 12-month warranty extension when choosing repair over replacement
• Member States: Must adopt at least one initiative to promote repair
• European Commission: Must establish a digital platform where consumers can find repair service providers

Timeline:

• Q3 2024: Directive on the repair of goods entered into force on 30 July
• Q3 2026: Implementation period runs until July 2026
• Q3 2026: Member states must have implemented the directive into national law by 31 July

EU legal text:

• Right to Repair Directive

EU Taxonomy has been postponed due to the "Stop-the-clock" initiative. Follow the latest updates and read more here

About the Directive:

• The revision focuses on modernization and harmonization of the existing labelling rules
• The rules will cover both physical and digital labelling of textile products, including the use of digital codes or symbols
• Labelling requirements will be closely linked to the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

Purpose:

• Ensure consistent product information for consumers and authorities
• Require data on aspects such as durability and reparability to support the circular economy
• Introduce common rules across Member States to ensure fair competition
• Support sustainability reporting, risk management, and investment decisions

Scope:

• All businesses placing textile products on the EU market, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
• Applies to both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors

Timeline:

• Q2/Q3 2025: Expected publication
• 2027 or later: Expected entry into force

About the Directive:

• Revised version of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive from 1991
• The update addresses new challenges such as:
• Micropollution
• Increased rainfall
• Insufficient wastewater coverage in smaller urban areas
  
  

Purpose:

• Reduce emissions of micropollutants
• Ensure better treatment and collection of wastewater, including smaller towns
• Promote energy-neutral operation of treatment plants

Scope:

• Applies to urban areas with 1,000 inhabitants or more (previously 2,000)
• Wastewater treatment plants are required to:
• Introduce a fourth treatment stage for the removal of micropollutants
• Achieve energy neutrality by 2045
• Cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries:
• Are subject to extended producer responsibility (EPR)
• Must finance at least 80% of the costs for the fourth treatment stage

Timeline:

• Q4 2024: The directive was adopted on 27 November
• Q1 2025: The directive entered into force on 1 January, whereafter national implementation is in progress
• Q3 2027: Certain provisions of the directive will apply to Danish companies starting from 1 August

EU legal text:

• Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive