Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products
This regulation mandates that products placed on the EU market must meet specific performance and information requirements regarding durability, reusability, upgradability, and reparability. It introduces a mandatory “Digital Product Passport” to track the environmental footprint of goods and sets strict prohibitions on the destruction of unsold consumer products, specifically textiles and footwear, to curb waste generation.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act)
This act establishes a tiered risk-based regulatory framework for AI systems. It explicitly prohibits AI applications deemed to pose an “unacceptable risk,” such as social scoring or manipulative subliminal techniques. For “high-risk” AI systems—used in critical infrastructure, education, or law enforcement—the regulation imposes strict compliance obligations, including data governance, transparency, and human oversight. It also introduces transparency requirements for general-purpose AI models, necessitating detailed documentation of training data and copyright compliance.
Directive (EU) 2024/1760 on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence
This directive requires large companies to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse impacts on human rights and the environment within their own operations, those of their subsidiaries, and their upstream and downstream business partners. Companies are legally obligated to adopt and implement a transition plan to ensure their business model is compatible with the 1.5°C global warming target set by the Paris Agreement. Non-compliance results in civil liability for damages and administrative fines based on the company’s net worldwide turnover.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste
The regulation strictly prohibits the export of hazardous and non-hazardous waste from the EU to countries outside the OECD. Shipments to OECD countries are permitted only if the receiving country ensures the waste is managed in an environmentally sound manner. The act mandates that all waste shipments between EU Member States are subject to electronic monitoring and digital data exchange to prevent illegal trafficking and ensure traceability throughout the transport cycle.
