Iron and Steel under ESPR and the Digital Product Passport
Iron and steel leads the first Working Plan for ESPR delegated acts; its public consultation closed on 12 August 2026 and no act has been adopted yet, so steel supply-chain businesses should watch it most closely.
Key dates for this sector
2026 to 2027
Signaled
Signaled
First category delegated acts expected, led by iron and steel, the only category to reach public consultation (20 May to 12 August 2026, now closed); the act is not adopted, and the Commission indicates adoption in Q4 2026. Textiles, tires, and aluminum follow, and dates beyond the consultation window are indicative.
Expected DPP data requirements (not yet confirmed in an act):
- Embodied carbon and carbon footprint per tonne of product
- Recycled scrap content percentage
- Substances of concern
- Country of origin and production route
Watch items
- The indicative 2028 to 2029 compliance timeline will shift if adoption slips; the act is not adopted, and the Commission indicates adoption in Q4 2026. Signaled
What to do now
The iron and steel ecodesign act consultation ran 20 May to 12 August 2026, and the Commission is processing feedback; the act, not adopted, and the Commission indicates adoption in Q4 2026, is the only Working Plan category at this stage. Prepare verified embodied-carbon and recycled-content data now, since regulated downstream customers will request it before your deadline.
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 iron and steel?
Signaled: likely the first ESPR delegated act. Key date: 2028 to 2029 (estimated compliance). This timeline is signaled, not an adopted act; plan against date ranges rather than fixed deadlines.
What Digital Product Passport data will iron and steel require?
Expected DPP data requirements (not yet confirmed in an act): Embodied carbon and carbon footprint per tonne of product; Recycled scrap content percentage; Substances of concern; Country of origin and production route.
What should iron and steel companies watch?
The indicative 2028 to 2029 compliance timeline will shift if adoption slips; the act is not adopted, and the Commission indicates adoption in Q4 2026.
What should iron and steel companies do now?
The iron and steel ecodesign act consultation ran 20 May to 12 August 2026, and the Commission is processing feedback; the act, not adopted, and the Commission indicates adoption in Q4 2026, is the only Working Plan category at this stage. Prepare verified embodied-carbon and recycled-content data now, since regulated downstream customers will request it before your deadline.