Navigating the EU’s New Sustainability Regulations in PPE
The European Union is reshaping its sustainability landscape, introducing regulations to reduce environmental impact, increase product transparency, and support the transition to a more sustainable future.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy that makes producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, from design and manufacturing to end-of-life disposal or recycling. The aim is to incentivize manufacturers to design less environmentally impactful products, driving innovation in areas like material choice, packaging, and waste reduction. While EPR laws already exist in some countries, they are expanding across regions and typically cover packaging and materials such as plastics, paper, textiles, batteries, and electronics.
European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR)
The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) introduced in June 2023, is a key part of the EU’s commitment to protecting global forests and promoting sustainable land-use. This legislation is designed to combat deforestation and forest degradation - two major drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss. Under the EUDR, companies must ensure that certain high-risk commodities entering or leaving the EU are proven to be deforestation-free. This includes providing detailed geolocation data for where raw materials, such as natural rubber, palm oil, soy, coffee, cocoa, wood, and beef, were harvested.
Digital Instructions for Use (IFUs)
Instructions for use (IFUs) are instruction documents that accompany products such as medical devices, electronics, or PPE. In October 2023, EU regulations were updated to allow these instructions to be delivered digitally (as eIFUs), removing the need for printed versions. This shift supports paper reduction while ensuring users still receive all legally required information in an accessible, sustainable format.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), introduced by the EU in December 2022, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability practices. It significantly broadens the scope of required reporting, ensuring companies disclose how their activities impact and are impacted by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
Under the CSRD, companies must report detailed, standardized ESG information, including climate-related risks and their transition strategies toward a sustainable economy. Reports must follow the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) to allow for consistent, comparable data across industries, and must be independently audited to verify accuracy.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), introduced by the EU in June 2024, sets out a new framework to ensure that products sold in the EU meet sustainability standards. It aims to make sustainable design the norm across most physical goods, with a few exceptions like food, animal feed, and certain vehicles.
Though specific product requirements are still under development, future ecodesign rules will focus on improving aspects such as durability, energy efficiency, reparability, and recycled content. A key feature of ESPR is the introduction of the digital product passport, which will store and share key sustainability data for each product to support transparency and informed decision-making across the value chain.
The regulation officially came into force on 18 July 2024. The first working plan outlining which product categories will be prioritized and when requirements will roll out is expected by April 2025, with initial product-specific rules likely coming into effect from mid-2027.
What This Means for You
As these regulations take effect, it’s important to choose a PPE provider who's compliant - but we're going beyond compliance to get in front of these changes and further improve our sustainability performance, while also supporting our customers’ own sustainability goals. Here's a quick overview of the key changes and how Ansell is preparing not just to comply, but to lead.
At Ansell, our initiatives include:
EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility):
We’ve reduced paper use by 46% and plastic by 35% since 2020. Nearly all our packaging is recyclable, and we aim for 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2026. Our RightCycle™ program helps customers recycle used PPE responsibly.
EUDR (Deforestation Regulation):
For products containing natural rubber, we ensure full traceability, including geolocation and harvesting data, and preparing due diligence documentation.
Digital IFUs:
We’ve rolled out digital instructions for use to reduce paper waste and improve accessibility. QR codes on packaging have been in place since the end of 2025; printed IFUs are still available upon request.
CSRD (Sustainability Reporting):
We're preparing for FY26 compliance with CSRD, building on existing reporting under the GRI, TCFD, and UNGC CoP frameworks to enhance transparency and ESG performance.
ESPR (Ecodesign Regulation):
We’re proactively designing lower-impact products and packaging. Of 2025 launches, 60% already meet improved environmental standards.
We’re committed to protecting both people and the planet, while supporting your business’s sustainability journey every step of the way.
