Method for the identification and tracking of substances of concern in products and for the preparation of restriction measures on the use of substances in products

Within the context of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and after its entry into force in July 2024, the present report proposes a method for the definition and tracking of substances of concern in products (as defined in Article 2(27) of the ESPR) as well as for the assessment and preparation of potential restriction measures for substances impacting the product aspects listed in Article 5(1) of the ESPR. The method informs the setting of performance requirements and information requirements, when relevant for the product under study. The intended audience for this report is primarily members of teams who will be undertaking Preparatory Studies for ESPR product groups, including from the European Commission, as well as stakeholders. The suggested method builds upon the existing Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP), which has been used successfully in the framework of the Ecodesign Directive. The method comprises the following main steps: — a preliminary data gathering phase, resulting in an inventory of substances, to enable the chemical composition of the product Base Case(s) to be defined; — the identification of substances of concern that should be subject to information requirements on tracking; and — where appropriate, the development of considerations for performance requirements on substances occurring in the product or in its life cycle that negatively affect product aspects in Article 5(1), including the evaluation of alternatives to prevent regrettable substitution.