Eco-Design of Energy-Using Products Directive
Encyclopedia
The European Union
's Ecodesign Directive (Directive 2009/125/EC) establishes a framework to set mandatory ecological requirements for energy
-using and energy-related products sold in all 27 Member States. Its scope currently covers more than 40 product groups (such as boiler
s, lightbulbs, TVs
and fridges
), which are responsible for around 40% of all EU greenhouse gas
emissions.
The 2009 revision of the Directive extended its scope to energy-related products such as window
s, insulation
materials and certain water-using products.
The ultimate aim of the Ecodesign Directive is that manufacturers of energy-using products will, at the design stage, be obliged to reduce the energy consumption
and other negative environmental impacts
of products. While the Directive's primary aim is to reduce energy use
, it is also aimed at enforcing other environmental considerations including: materials use; water use
; polluting emissions
; waste
issues and recyclability
.
The Ecodesign Directive is a framework directive
, meaning that it does not directly set minimum ecological requirements. These are adopted through specific implementing measures for each group of products in the scope of the Directive. The implementing measures are adopted through the so-called comitology
procedure. Implementing measures are based on EU internal market rules governing which products may be placed on the market. Manufacturers who begin marketing an energy using product covered by an implementing measure in the EU area have to ensure that it conforms to the energy and environmental standards set out by the measure.
In practice, the introduction of a new minimum requirement results in effectively banning all non-compliant products from being sold in the 27 Member States. This was for example the case of incandescent lamps, for which a gradual phaseout started in the EU in 2009 under this Directive. This measure alone - which received some criticism in parts of the media
but welcomed by environmentalists - is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 16 million tons in 2020.
, computer
s, televisions, and industrial products such as transformer
s. The implementing measures focus on those products which have a high potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at low cost, through reduced energy demand.
The first Working Plan of the Ecodesign Directive was adopted on 21 October 2008.
It establishes a list of 10 product groups to be considered in priority for implementing measures in 2009-2011:
Nine implementing measures have already been adopted - for a total energy saving of 341 TWh, or 12% of the electricity consumption
of the EU. Several preparatory studies by DG Energy are completed or ongoing.
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
's Ecodesign Directive (Directive 2009/125/EC) establishes a framework to set mandatory ecological requirements for energy
Energy
In physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...
-using and energy-related products sold in all 27 Member States. Its scope currently covers more than 40 product groups (such as boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
s, lightbulbs, TVs
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and fridges
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is a common household appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room...
), which are responsible for around 40% of all EU greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions.
The 2009 revision of the Directive extended its scope to energy-related products such as window
Window
A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
s, insulation
Insulation
Insulation means:* Building insulation, added to buildings for comfort and energy efficiency* Soundproofing, also known as acoustic insulation, any means of reducing the intensity of sound...
materials and certain water-using products.
The ultimate aim of the Ecodesign Directive is that manufacturers of energy-using products will, at the design stage, be obliged to reduce the energy consumption
Energy consumption
Energy consumption is the consumption of energy or power. It is covered in the following articles and categories:* World energy consumption* Domestic energy consumption* Fuel efficiency in transportation* Electric energy consumption* Electricity generation...
and other negative environmental impacts
Environmental degradation
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife...
of products. While the Directive's primary aim is to reduce energy use
Energy use
Energy use or similar terms are discussed in the following articles:* Efficient energy use* World energy resources and consumption* energy use intensity...
, it is also aimed at enforcing other environmental considerations including: materials use; water use
Water use
Water use can mean the amount of water used for a given task or for the production of a given quantity of some product or crop. The term "water footprint" is often used to refer to the amount of water used by a consumer....
; polluting emissions
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
; waste
Waste
Waste is unwanted or useless materials. In biology, waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled from living organisms, metabolic waste; such as urea, sweat or feces. Litter is waste which has been disposed of improperly...
issues and recyclability
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
.
The Ecodesign Directive is a framework directive
Framework Directive
A Framework Directive establishes a framework or template for subsequent legislation in an area. "The" Framework Directive may refer to a number of European Union directives that put in place legislative frameworks, including -...
, meaning that it does not directly set minimum ecological requirements. These are adopted through specific implementing measures for each group of products in the scope of the Directive. The implementing measures are adopted through the so-called comitology
Comitology
Comitology in the European Union refers to the committee system which oversees the delegated acts implemented by the European Commission.-Overview:...
procedure. Implementing measures are based on EU internal market rules governing which products may be placed on the market. Manufacturers who begin marketing an energy using product covered by an implementing measure in the EU area have to ensure that it conforms to the energy and environmental standards set out by the measure.
In practice, the introduction of a new minimum requirement results in effectively banning all non-compliant products from being sold in the 27 Member States. This was for example the case of incandescent lamps, for which a gradual phaseout started in the EU in 2009 under this Directive. This measure alone - which received some criticism in parts of the media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
but welcomed by environmentalists - is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 16 million tons in 2020.
Scope of the Directive
The 2005 Ecodesign directive covered energy-using products, which use, generate, transfer or measure energy, including consumer goods such as boilers, water heatersWater heating
Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hot water are for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating...
, computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s, televisions, and industrial products such as transformer
Transformer
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils. A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field...
s. The implementing measures focus on those products which have a high potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at low cost, through reduced energy demand.
The first Working Plan of the Ecodesign Directive was adopted on 21 October 2008.
It establishes a list of 10 product groups to be considered in priority for implementing measures in 2009-2011:
- Air conditioningAir conditioningAn air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
and ventilationVentilationVentilation is movement of air in and out of an enclosed space, including a body. It is used in the following contexts:* Ventilation * Ventilation * Ventilation * Ventilation * Ventilation...
systems - Electric and fossil-fuelledFossil fuelFossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years...
heating equipment - Food-preparing equipment
- Industrial and laboratory furnaceFurnaceA furnace is a device used for heating. The name derives from Latin fornax, oven.In American English and Canadian English, the term furnace on its own is generally used to describe household heating systems based on a central furnace , and sometimes as a synonym for kiln, a device used in the...
s and ovenOvenAn oven is a thermally insulated chamber used for the heating, baking or drying of a substance. It is most commonly used for cooking. Kilns, and furnaces are special-purpose ovens...
s - Machine toolMachine toolA machine tool is a machine, typically powered other than by human muscle , used to make manufactured parts in various ways that include cutting or certain other kinds of deformation...
s - Network, data processing and data storing equipment
- Refrigerating and freezing equipment
- Sound and imaging equipment
- Transformers
- Water-using equipment
Nine implementing measures have already been adopted - for a total energy saving of 341 TWh, or 12% of the electricity consumption
Electricity consumption
Electric energy consumption is the form of energy consumption that uses electric energy.- Overview :Consumption of electric energy is measured by W·h :^)....
of the EU. Several preparatory studies by DG Energy are completed or ongoing.