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Key terms: |
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Ecodesign means that improvements in a
product's ecological profile are implemented at the design stage |
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Ecological profile means the
inputs and
outputs (materials, emissions, waste) of a product over its entire
lifecycle, expressed in measurable physical quantities |
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Ecodesign requirement means a
requirement intended to improve the environmental performance of a
product or disclosure of information about the product's
environmental aspects |
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Generic ecodesign requirements are based on the ecological profile as
a whole (no set limit values) |
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Specific ecodesign requirements are set
limit values (quantified and measurable) for selected environmental aspect(s) of a product |
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Definitions are
consistent with ISO 14040
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), an
international standard for environmental management |
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Although the
initial implementing measures have focused on energy efficiency, the
EU concept of ecodesign is much broader, as set forth in Annex I,
Part 1 Ecodesign Parameters for Products: |
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LIFECYCLE PHASES for each product |
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Raw material
selection |
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Manufacturing |
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Packaging,
transport and distribution |
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Installation and
maintenance |
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Use |
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End-of-life (end of
first use to final disposal) |
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS for each phase |
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Predicted
consumption of materials, energy and fresh water |
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Anticipated
emissions to air, water or soil |
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Anticipated
pollution through physical effects such as noise, vibration,
radiation and electromagnetic fields |
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Expected generation
of waste material |
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Possibilities for
reuse, recycling and recovery of materials or the recovery of energy |
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EVALUATION PARAMETERS for improving
environmental aspects |
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Weight and volume
of product |
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Use of recycled
materials |
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Use of dangerous
substances per Directive 67/548/EEC |
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Use of dangerous
preparations per Directive 76/769/EEC |
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Use of RoHS
substances per Directive 2002/95/EC |
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Incorporation of
used components |
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Quantity and nature
of consumables needed for proper use and maintenance |
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Consumption of
energy, water and other resources throughout entire lifecycle |
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Amounts of
waste/hazardous waste generated |
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Ease for reuse
and recycling: |
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Number of materials
and components used |
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Use of standard
components |
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Time necessary for
disassembly |
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Complexity of tools
necessary for disassembly |
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Use of component
and material coding standards (including marking plastic parts with
ISO standards) |
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Use of easily
recyclable materials |
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Easy access to
valuable/recyclable components and materials |
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Easy access to
components/materials containing hazardous substances |
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Avoidance of technical solutions
detrimental to reuse and recycling of components/whole appliances |
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Extension of
lifetime: |
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Minimum guaranteed
lifetime |
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Minimum time for
availability of spare parts |
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Modularity,
upgradeability, reparability |
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Emissions to air: |
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Greenhouse gases |
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Acidifying agents |
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Volatile organic
compounds |
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Ozone depleting
substances |
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Persistent organic
pollutants |
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Heavy metals |
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Fine particulate
and suspended particulate matter |
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Emissions to
water: |
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Heavy metals |
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Substances with an
adverse effect on the oxygen balance |
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Persistent organic
pollutants |
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Emissions to
soil: |
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Leakage and spills
of dangerous substances during use |
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Potential for
leaching upon disposal as waste |
