Why "good design" is no longer enough: The new requirements that change the rules of the game for Norwegian products

The time when you could design a product solely based on function and aesthetics is over. With the EU's new "Green Deal" and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), we are moving from a linear to a circular production economy. For Norwegian companies, this means that sustainability is no longer an elective subject - it is a prerequisite for even being allowed to sell your product. Here's what you need to know so you don't get left behind on the platform.

The end of "glued and forgotten"

Traditionally, many products have been designed to be as cheaply assembled as possible – often using glue, welding or permanent fasteners. This has made production efficient but repair and recycling impossible.

The new requirements turn this upside down. Products must now be designed to be repairable. A consumer (or a repair shop) must be able to open the product, replace the battery or a wearing part, and close it again without damaging the casing.

For us at Engin8, this means that engineering is more important than ever. We need to design smarter fastening mechanisms, choose materials that can withstand disassembly, and think about the "death" of the product even before it is born.

Your product needs a passport

Another major change is the introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPP). In practice, this means that your product will have a digital twin that contains information about:

• Where the materials come from.

• The carbon footprint (LCA).

• Instructions for repair and recycling.

This places enormous demands on documentation and traceability in the value chain. As part of the Spring Nova system, we work closely with our factories in both Europe and Asia to ensure this data flow is in place. We no longer just deliver a physical gadget; we deliver the documentation that makes the gadget legal.

Compliance is engineering, not paperwork

Many see the new rules as a bureaucratic headache that must be solved by a consultant at the very end of the project. That is a dangerous strategy.

If your product is fully designed before you think about RoHS, REACH or Ecodesign, it is often too late – or extremely expensive – to make changes.

At Engin8, we integrate compliance directly into the CAD files. We choose the right plastic type in week 1, not week 20. We test disassembly on the first 3D printed prototype. We call it being "engineered for reality."

An opportunity, not a threat

Although the requirements are strict, they represent a huge opportunity for Norwegian companies. Quality, longevity and responsibility have always been Norwegian strengths. Now this is becoming a competitive advantage that the rest of the world is forced to value.

Do you have an idea, or do you have an existing product that needs to be adapted for the future? At Engin8, we have the expertise to take you through the green shift – from the drawing board to the finished, certified product.

Let's build something that lasts.

Read more about how we can create something together!

Read more about Engin8