Aluminium under ESPR and the Digital Product Passport

Aluminium is in the first Working Plan, with preparatory study and stakeholder consultation underway. Key data challenges are expected around energy mix in smelting (the green versus grey aluminium distinction) and supply-chain traceability from smelter to finished product.

Status: Signaled: preparatory study and consultation underway Signaled

Key date: 2028 to 2030 (estimated) Signaled

Scope: Aluminium products; intermediate goods and semi-finished products expected to be in scope

Governing instrument: ESPR delegated act (in preparation)

Last verified: 10 August 2026

Key dates for this sector

2026 to 2027
Signaled
First category delegated acts expected. Iron and steel is the lead category and the only one to reach public consultation, which ran 20 May to 12 August 2026 and is now closed, with adoption targeted Q4 2026. Textiles, tyres, and aluminium follow. Dates other than the consultation window are indicative.
COM(2025) 187

Expected DPP data requirements (not yet confirmed in an act):

Watch items

What to do now

Begin preparing energy-source and recycled-content data at the smelter or mill level. Customers in downstream regulated categories will request this data upstream before their own compliance deadlines.

Sources: COM(2025) 187: Working Plan · Verified 10 August 2026

Part of ESPR Atlas, the free ESPR and Digital Product Passport intelligence hub. Compare all nine categories on the Sectors in Scope page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does ESPR apply to aluminium?
Signaled: preparatory study and consultation underway. Key date: 2028 to 2030 (estimated). This timeline is signaled, not an adopted act; plan against date ranges rather than fixed deadlines.
What Digital Product Passport data will aluminium require?
Expected DPP data requirements (not yet confirmed in an act): Traceability through the supply chain; Energy source mix used in smelting; Recycled content percentage; Carbon footprint per tonne; Country of origin.
What should aluminium companies watch?
No delegated act has been proposed yet. Timeline is indicative. Monitor the Commission's consultation process and Working Plan progress reviews.
What should aluminium companies do now?
Begin preparing energy-source and recycled-content data at the smelter or mill level. Customers in downstream regulated categories will request this data upstream before their own compliance deadlines.