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Ecodesign

Ecodesign

There is world-wide demand for more efficient products to reduce energy and resource consumption. The EU legislation on Ecodesign and energy labelling is an effective tool for improving the energy efficiency of products. It helps eliminate the least performing products from the market, significantly contributing to the EU’s 2020 energy efficiency objective. It also supports industrial competitiveness and innovation by promoting the better environmental performance of products throughout the Internal Market.

The legal framework

  • The Ecodesign Directive provides consistent EU-wide rules for improving the environmental performance of products, such as household appliances, information and communication technologies or engineering. The Directive sets out minimum mandatory requirements for the energy efficiency of these products. This helps prevent creation of barriers to trade, improve product quality and environmental protection. FAQ (563 kB)
  • The Energy Labelling Regulation may complement those Ecodesign requirements with mandatory labelling requirements

The Ecodesign Directive also establishes a Consultation Forum to consult stakeholders on the implementation of the Directive. The list of members includes representatives from EU countries, industry and civil society. The group is open for observers from candidate and EFTA countries, and from organizations that have a legitimate interest in the discussion.

Product-specific regulations

The Ecodesign Directive is implemented through product-specific Regulations, directly applicable in all EU countries:

See the lists of all Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations. See also the list of all voluntary agreements.

Harmonised standards

Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations are complemented by harmonised European standards. These technical specifications indicate that a product complies with the mandatory requirements. Only then can the manufacturer affix the CE marking and sell it in the EU.

Market surveillance

National market surveillance authorities verify whether products sold in the EU follow the requirements laid out in Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations. See the list of national contact points in charge of market surveillance under the Ecodesign Directive:

International aspects

A number of non-EU countries (USA, Australia, Brazil, China and Japan) have legislation similar to the EU’s Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives.

An International conference on product policy was organised by the Commission in February 2014.

Support tools for SMEs

The Enterprise Europe Network Ecodesign SME Specific Action project provides advice to SMEs on Ecodesign as part of an overall business strategy.

Support tools for experts

Methodology for the Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP)

The Methodology for the Ecodesign of Energy-related Products is used to prepare draft implementing measures.

Material efficiency study for MEErP (published in December 2013)

MEErP : The final report of the study (published in December 2011)

MEEuP : Documents related to the 2005 MEEuP for energy – using products

Working plans

The Ecodesign working plan sets out a list of products that are a priority for implementing measures:

Documents and links