The European Commission is undertaking an overhaul of the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC to further enhance sustainability in products across the EU market. While the current directive has already delivered significant benefits, saving consumers billions of euros in energy costs and reducing annual energy consumption by 10% in covered product groups, but is there a need for more ambitious measures.
The proposed regulation aims to set comprehensive ecodesign requirements for a wide range of products, focusing on aspects such as durability, reusability, repairability, energy efficiency, recycled content, and environmental footprints.
The new regulation shall improve the sustainability of products and products shall meet ecodesign requirements which relate to (see Article 1):
- (a) product durability and reliability;
- (b) product reusability;
- (c) product upgradability, reparability, maintenance, and refurbishment;
- (d) the presence of substances of concern in products;
- (e) product energy and resource efficiency;
- (f) recycled content in products;
- (g) product remanufacturing and recycling;
- (h) products’ carbon and environmental footprints;
- (i) products’ expected generation of waste materials.
Additionally, it introduces a digital product passport, mandates green public procurement criteria, and establishes measures to prevent the destruction of unsold consumer products.
Aligning with the new legislative framework, the regulation emphasizes conformity assessment procedures not only for product safety but also for sustainability criteria like durability and carbon footprint. This ensures that products meet high standards while fostering a circular economy.
For consumers, these changes mean longer-lasting products that can be repaired rather than replaced entirely, resulting in cost savings and reduced waste. It also means better information about energy consumption, empowering consumers to make more informed choices.
A public consultation by the European Commission on new product priorities for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products is now available, in all EU languages, with a deadline for feedback on 12 May: Feedback Page
