2024 in Review: Key Political and Legislative Events in the EU

2024 has been a defining year for the EU, marked by political changes in Brussels and new and ambitious legislative goals. With the conclusion of von der Leyen’s first mandate, the bloc has finalised critical legislation tackling pressing environmental and social challenges. As this legislative cycle wraps up, we’ve observed a significant shift in industry priorities, moving beyond policy engagement to actively implementing these new requirements throughout the year.

As per our tradition, this last article of the year will recap the key developments of the last twelve months. From the impacts of the EU elections, to the progress made on landmark sustainability policies, read on for our team’s expert analysis of 2024’s milestone moments, and what they mean for the road ahead.

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Political Changes in the EU

The EU’s political landscape saw expected but significant shifts in 2024, and the outcomes of the EU elections held in June will certainly influence policymaking in the years to come.

Following her nomination by the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission, with support from the Green Party, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the European People’s Party (EPP), and Renew Europe. While the Greens, S&D, and Renew maintain a majority, the strengthened presence of right-wing parties has reshaped alliances. The EPP demonstrated its ability to collaborate with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), adding complexity to coalition dynamics.

Both the European Council’s strategic agenda and von der Leyen’s political guidelines reaffirm the commitment to the Green Deal and EU’s overall sustainability goals. While these are not currently a top priority, the ‘competitiveness and simplification’ strategy will be a major focal point.

EU Council’s Strategic Agenda

The new EU Council’s Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029 outlined a clear vision for the EU’s future, focusing on achieving climate neutrality, enhancing energy security, and supporting economic resilience. In line with the Commission’s guidelines, the agenda also emphasised the importance of cooperation between Member States, and among all stakeholders, in tackling shared challenges and reaching these collective targets.

The Draghi Report

Another key highlight of the year was the release of the report authored by former ECB President and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. The highly anticipated 400-page document addressed the matter of European competitiveness and the future of the EU. Providing a roadmap for boosting innovation, strengthening the Single Market, and fostering the green and digital transitions, Draghi’s insights closely align with EU’s sustainability goals. The Commissioners are mandated to take this report into account, ensuring its recommendations shape and inform their work in the years ahead.

EU Sustainability Policy: Key Developments in 2024

Now let’s have a look at the progress made in these last twelve months in relation to the EU’s main sustainability files, and where they currently stand.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Although the regulation was initially set to enter into application at the end of this year, concerns raised by Member States, third countries, and industry associations regarding the lack of clear guidelines and an operational reporting system prompted the Commission to propose a one-year postponement. This delay, extending the application deadline to the end of 2025, was subsequently approved by both the European Parliament and the Council.

Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) represents a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to make products more sustainable. By setting design requirements, it aims to enhance durability, reusability, repairability, and recyclability while reducing environmental impact throughout a product’s lifecycle.

This year marked a significant milestone for the ESPR as it was adopted and entered into force. With this foundational step complete, the focus now shifts to prioritising product groups for regulation. Key elements of the regulation, such as product performance, unsold goods, and Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements, are currently being developed. The next major development will be the publication of the anticipated design work plan in April 2025.

For more information, read our complete article about the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

EU Digital Product Passport

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a groundbreaking initiative designed to support the EU’s transition to a circular economy. By providing digital access to key information about a product’s composition, environmental impact, and circularity potential, the DPP enables businesses and consumers to make more sustainable choices.

In 2024, the work on the DPP for textiles progressed at a slower pace compared to other ESPR priorities, such as performance requirements. Updates from the European Commission were limited, leaving brands with little guidance on early implementation. This delay is thought to be linked to significant staff changes within the Commission team responsible for the DPP.

On the technical front, the EU standardisation bodies CEN and CENELEC have been advancing harmonised standards for the DPP. These standards will include technical setups such as data carriers and unique identity identifiers. While these efforts represent important groundwork, the final standards are not expected until December 2025.

Learn more about the Digital Product Passport in this special piece.

Waste Framework Directive

The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) provides the overarching framework for waste management in the EU, focusing on waste prevention, re-use, and recycling to reduce environmental impact.

Progress on the WFD in 2024 was certainly slower than anticipated. Discussions within EU institutions continued, but trilogues, originally expected earlier in the year, have been delayed, pushing potential adoption to 2025. A notable development was the Council’s introduction of the concept of extrinsic durability.

Borrowing from the anti-fast fashion law, this concept connects waste generation to the frequency of new fashion collections and the volume of items per collection.

However, this innovative proposal has yet to achieve consensus. The European Commission and European Parliament have resisted including eco-modulation based on extrinsic durability, maintaining their original stances. This divergence has created challenges in progressing the directive. For businesses, these debates signal the need to prepare for stricter waste management regulations and to evaluate how product lifecycles align with sustainability goals.

Learn more in our special piece about the Waste Framework Directive.

EU Green Claims Directive

The Green Claims Directive (GCD) aims to eliminate greenwashing by setting clear, verifiable standards for environmental claims. This directive ensures that businesses substantiate and communicate green claims transparently to build consumer trust.

In 2024, the Council and Parliament adopted their positions on the GCD, moving the file closer to finalisation. While trilogues have been postponed to early 2025, both institutions introduced important refinements, including simplified verification processes and stricter rules for carbon offset claims, enhancing the directive’s reliability.

For further information, check out our dedicated blog about the Green Claims Directive.

EU Textile Labelling Regulation

The Textile Labelling Regulation (TLR) aims to harmonise and simplify labelling practices across the EU while ensuring consumers have access to accurate and comprehensive information about textile products. The proposed revision also seeks to enhance circularity by aligning with emerging sustainability requirements.

In 2024, the European Commission intensified its work on revising the TLR. A full-day workshop in October offered a glimpse into proposed updates, including simplified fibre testing methods and streamlined applications for new fibre names. These revisions are designed to reduce administrative burdens for businesses while introducing new requirements for additional information, such as circularity aspects, allergen presence, and authenticity of leather and fur materials.

One significant proposal under consideration is the extension of the regulation to cover all apparel articles, not just textile-based products. This potential change could have wide-reaching implications for businesses operating within the apparel sector, reinforcing the importance of preparing for increased transparency and compliance demands.

We expect the EU Commission to publish the legislative proposal (and kick off the co-decision process) in Q2 2025.

To know more, read our full blog about the EU Textile Labelling Regulation.

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) establishes robust obligations for companies to identify, mitigate, and prevent adverse impacts on human rights and the environment throughout their value chains.

This year, the directive came into force on 25 July, marking a step towards enhancing corporate accountability. Businesses operating within the EU must now align their operations with these due diligence requirements to ensure compliance and maintain market access. We expect that sector-specific guidelines will be developed throughout 2025.

For more information, read our complete blog about the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

EU Forced Labour Ban

The EU Forced Labour Ban (FLB) enforces a prohibition on the sale of products made with forced labour within the EU market, reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to human rights and ethical trade practices.

Entering into force on 19 November 2024, the FLB places a renewed focus on supply chain integrity. Businesses are now required to implement rigorous compliance frameworks to identify and eliminate forced labour from their operations and supply chains.

If you’d like to know more, check our special blog on the EU Forced Labour Ban.

What’s next?

As we look ahead to 2025, the path forward will be defined by the implementation of key policies and upcoming legislative milestones. In our next blog article, we’ll explore what 2025 might hold, featuring expert insights from the team at Ohana to help you navigate the year ahead with confidence. Be sure to stay tuned and subscribe to our newsletter to get the article delivered straight to your inbox.

At Ohana, we’ve been at the forefront of these changes, offering insights and strategies to help our clients thrive in this evolving landscape. We’re here to help your business refine its approach, engage stakeholders effectively, and seize the opportunities ahead. Let’s start building your strategy for success—reach out to our team today!

We would like to extend a warm thanks to all of the clients and partners who have made 2024 another amazing year for Ohana, and wish you all a lovely holiday season!

Want someone with deep experience and connections in the EU to help guide your sustainability strategy? Get in touch!

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