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What is
Ecodesign in the EU?
Directive
2005/32/EC - EuP
Directive 2009/125/EC - ErP
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Two
Ecodesign Directives have been adopted
by the European Union. They are virtually identical (almost
word-for-word) except for scope: Directive 2005/32/EC
regulates energy-using products (EuP) while its replacement
Directive 2009/125/EC regulates energy-related products (ErP).
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Energy-using products
(EuP) require energy (electricity, fossil fuels or renewable energy)
input to work as intended; includes products that generate, transfer
or measure energy; excludes products that transport people or goods |
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Energy-related
products (ErP) impact energy consumption during their
use; examples include construction materials such as windows &
insulation and water-using products such as shower heads & taps
(recital 4); includes EuP; excludes products that transport people
or goods |
Ecodesign directives are EU
framework directives. This means they set forth
the general plan but not the specifics. They
establish the objective (ecodesign requirements), scope (EuP or ErP) and
regulatory framework (CE marking, conformity assessment, consultation forum,
committee procedure, etc). But they do not contain binding product
requirements.
EuP/ErP products have no
ecodesign requirements until an
implementing
measure is issued for that particular product. To date,
implementing measures have been issued for televisions, set-top boxes,
refrigerators, electric motors, circulating pumps, external power supplies,
standby modes for electrical/electronic equipment, and lamps (light bulbs).
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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 |
This summary is intended to give you an easy-to-understand overview and does
not constitute legal advice. The actual standard in the original language
should be reviewed and used for all business, legal, and product compliance
purposes.
Should
you need assistance in preparing your company for the EU's Ecodesign
Directives, we stand ready
to help you. Just
email
us or give us a call at 972-679-8996 for a rapid and personalized response.
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Technical Consulting
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