The European Union has implemented a reform to harmonize its
comprehensive framework of design protection legislation. This
reform is achieved through the adoption of two legislative
instruments being Regulation (EU) 2024/2822 (the
"Design Regulation") and Directive (EU)
2024/2823 (the "Design Directive").
Such amendments aim to modernise, clarify and improve
accessibility of design protection and enhance interoperability of
design protection systems in the EU.
The applicability of the reform is split into two
phases. The first phase introduces some amendments
and are enforceable from the 1st of May 2025 whereas the
second phase implements the rest of the amendments
including those published in secondary legislation from next year,
the 1st of July 2026.
