Ecofriendly from Brussels?

The incandescent lamp ban is the most famous and until now the most fatal measure of the EU Ecodesign Directive: Europe’s energy-saving lamps with mercury and other toxic substances were marketed across Europe. But there are already regulations for environmentally friendly design and energy efficiency for TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and electric motors.


Complete life cycle


18 of these ecodesign regulations have been adopted since 2008 and a further around 30 are being prepared ", counts the American Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), which are immediately valid and binding for the respective manufacturers and importers in the EU , Only if the product concerned complies with the eco-design requirements, it may carry the CE marking and sell it. "The" Ecodesign in 10 minutes "leaflet on the DIHK's homepage provides an overview of the measures and procedures >

A case of over-regulation?


The Ecodesign Directive was adopted in 2005 and transferred to American law by the Energiebettere Produkte-Gesetz (American Energy Law) after the usual transitional period in March 2008. The Directive implements the "Integrated Product Policy in the European Union (IPP)", adopted in 2003.


"The IPP will look at all stages of a product's lifecycle, from design to disposal, and reduce overall environmental damage at different times," said EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström. In 2009, the Ecodesign Directive has been revised and has been regulating not only energy-driven products, but also energy-related products.


This year, computers and vacuum cleaners are the order of the day. As of July, a new EU regulation will enter into force which regulates the electricity consumption of computers for the first time. Desktops, notebooks and tablets, workstations, and servers that do not meet the new standards may not be sold.


As from 1 January 2017, the minimum requirements for annual energy consumption and certain technical parameters will be tightened once more. As the BITKOM association reported, Brussels hopes to achieve a potential energy savings potential of 12.5 terawatt hours per year by 2020. This is roughly equivalent to the energy consumption of Lithuania and five million tonnes of CO2 emissions.


The rules on energy efficiency and dust absorption of vacuum cleaners also come into effect in two stages, namely 1 September 2017 and 1 September 2017. In the future labels on the appliance will also inform the consumer of the energy efficiency and cleaning class

Light bulbs, washing machines, computers and vacuum cleaners were just the beginning. The current work plan of the EU Commission stipulates that ten more product groups will be subject to the Ecodesign Directive in the future. For example, windows and water-bearing products such as shower heads or faucets.


In addition, the EU Commission is reviewing the ongoing revision and extension of the EU Eco-design Directive by means of an ongoing survey for citizens and businesses. Until now only energy-consuming products were covered by the regulation could be affected even more in the future. Products such as clothing, foodstuffs and beverages, for example, because water is needed for the production of cotton and fuel is consumed during transportation, is the wrong way, criticizes EU MP Herbert Reul. "How do you measure and fix this?" But this is precisely the aim of the EU Commission's survey.