The EU Design Legislative Reform Package, aimed at modernizing, simplifying, and harmonizing design protection across the EU, was published in November 2024, with key changes effective from 1 May 2025 (more information in our Newsletter accessible here).

The EU Design Regulation provides the European Union with its own system of design protection, which provides for protection of designs at the EU level, alongside the protection they may enjoy at the national level in the Member States. The design protection system as a whole, as reformed, will be adapted to the digital age and will become more accessible and efficient for independent designers, SMEs and industries where designs play a major role, by simplifying and streamlining procedures, as well as adapting and optimizing the level and structure of the fees.

• - On 15 January 2026, the European Commission adopted :

* Implementing Regulation (EUDIR) setting the rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 on European Union designs, specifying the details required in applications for registered EU designs and related requests. The adopted text has been published in the Official Journal on 19 March 2026. Find the text here.

* Delegated Regulation supplementing Council Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 setting the rules specifying the details of certain proceedings concerning registered designs, including amendment of applications, invalidity proceedings, and general formalities for proceedings before the Office. It repeals Commission Regulation (EC) No 2245/2002. The adopted text has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 19 March 2026. Find the text here.

The EUDIR and EUDDR lay down detailed rules for EU design-related procedures, managed by the EUIPO, replacing the existing Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2245/2002. These Regulations bring the EU design legislative reform into its operational phase, providing greater clarity and predictability for those seeking design protection in the EU.

Both texts have now been published in the Official Journal and will apply from July 1st, 2026.

• - On February 10, 2026, the European Parliament adopted, in its first reading, the codified text of the Regulation on European Union Designs (Regulation CE 6/2002 amended by Regulation EU 2024/2822) consolidating previous amendments for clarity and rationality. The text is now awaiting the Council’s first reading position here.