The idea of EU ecodesign is to produce more sustainable goods in terms of energy and resources. This concept fits in a circular economy broader approach, in which materials and resources are constantly reused.
This is the main EU ecodesign regulation, which is the EU Directive 2009/125/EC ‘ecodesign requirements for electrical related products that represent a significant volume of sales’.
The objective of this directive, as well as its associated European commission regulations for enforcement, is to reduce the environmental impact of Energy-Related Products (ErP).
As a result, in addition to WEEE obligations, a set of regulations from the European Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC has been published with requirements for repairability ('right to repair' principle) and recyclability of the following household product categories :
Enforcement actions include consumption efficiency targets, stand-by/off-mode functions, and other eco-design specifications for the ErP Directive product categories. Specific ecodesign requirements also apply to electrical and electronic household and office equipment under Regulation No 1275/2008 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC for standby & off mode, networked standby, as well as electric power consumption.
Electrical and electronic devices, subassemblies, and components are also in the ErP scope if they have ‘an impact on energy consumption during use’ (art. 2, definition 1). As of April 1st, 2021, the manufacturers have to provide spare parts as well as maintenance and repair information for in-scope products.
Importantly, these energy efficiency requirements are part of the CE marking obligations.
The regulation 2019/2021 ‘ecodesign requirements for electronic displays’ stems from the EU Directive 2009/125/EC ‘ecodesign requirements for electrical related products that represent a significant volume of sales’. This regulation does not apply to the following:
Examples of the requirements listed in annex II of Regulation 2019/2021 include:
Here are 5 material efficiency obligations :
1. Design for dismantling, recycling, and recovery:
2. Marking of plastic components:
3. Cadmium logo:
4. Halogenated flame retardants:
5. Design for repair and reuse:
These requirement apply as of March 1st, 2021.
According to the European regulation 2019/1782, the ecodesign requirements are used to improve environmental performance and save energy regarding external power sources (EPS) typically used in electrical and electronic household and office equipment.
The regulation 2019/1782 ‘ecodesign requirements for external power supplies’ stems from the ErP directive. The rules apply to external sources in active mode and no-load power consumption.
Examples of the requirements listed in the 2019/1782 annexes are:
On energy efficiency, the no-load power consumption must not exceed these values, when the Po ≤ 49.0 W:
The no-load power consumption when the Po > 49.0 W:
These elements apply as of April 1st, 2020.
Other obligations apply worldwide, according to the International Efficiency Marking Protocol for External Power Supplies, which is the reference for the requirements in major markets, such as the European Union, the United States, Canada, or Australia.
The European Regulation 2019/1781 on ‘ecodesign requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives’ abides by the EU Directive 2009/125/EC ‘ecodesign requirements for energy-related products’. These ecodesign requirements improve the energy efficiency of electric motors and variable speed drivers (VSDs).
Electric motors are used in a vast variety of applications, like pumps, fans, gears, compressors, machine tools, and robots. Many of these motors are equipped with electronic devices that control their speed. They are called variable speed drivers.
Since estimates show that electric motors systems consume approximately 50% of the EU electricity production, their efficiency turns out to be critical in terms of economy and environmental benefits.
The ecodesign regulation 2019/1781 applies to:
Nevertheless, article 2 lists exclusions.
Most of these ecodesign requirements apply as of July 1st, 2021. They are detailed in Annex I of Regulation 2019/1781 and include:
To demonstrate compliance with these ecodesign requirements, conformity assessments must be undertaken, and the appropriate technical documentation must be maintained. Motors and VSD with automatic test detection and software altering their ecodesign performance are strictly prohibited.
The European regulation 2019/1784 “ecodesign requirements for welding equipment” originates from the EU Directive 2009/125/EC “ecodesign requirements for electrical related products that represent a significant volume of sales”. The ecodesign requirements are used to improve energy efficiency regarding welding equipment.
The rules apply to the following welding and allied processes:
The requirements listed in the annex II of the regulation 2019/1784 cover:
In respect of the latter, the minimum power source efficiency thresholds are:
Additionally, the idle state power consumption must not exceed 50 W for all three kinds of above-mentioned welding equipment.
These energy efficiency requirements apply from January 1st, 2023. The other ecodesign requirements come into force as of January 1st, 2021.
Other ecodesign requirements are being implemented.
In France, the Loi du 10 février 2020 relative à la lutte contre le gaspillage et à l'économie circulaire (law on fighting waste and the circular economy) includes the following rules on certain electrical and electronic devices, applicable from 2021:
National transpositions of the EU Directive 2019/904 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment are also underway.
In a nutshell, EcoScan, or Eco-Design assessment, is a solution to measure the environmental impacts of a new product. It enables monitoring and reducing energy and resource consumption of this product.
Besides, EcoDesign allows you to meet the ISO 14001 Product Life Cycle (PLC) requirements of your environmental management system.
The EcoScans are part of the PLC exercise.
Several methods of EcoScans are available, such as the ReCiPe method.
To perform the Eco-Scans, it is necessary to have the following information on your new design:
Any questions or needs on Eco-Design? Ask Enviropass!