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Context

Many aspects of Energy-using Products (EuP) have negative impacts on the environment related to the energy they consume as well as other environmental impacts such as, for example, emissions to air, to water or to soil. Yet, it is considered that all product-related environmental impacts depend in a substantial manner on the design phase of a product.

In 2005, the European Council and the European Parliament thus adopted a Commission proposal for a framework Directive on Eco-Design. The directive provides further guidance in line with the European Integrated Product Policy (IPP) by incorporating legal requirement on product design which is one of the basics of the IPP for a given category of products.

Implementing measures of the Directive

Implementing measures of the Directive have been adopted by the Commission assisted by a regulatory Committee for defining eco-design requirements and conformity assessment procedures.

Theses procedures are proposed for products or families of products which correspond to a significant volume of sales and trade in the intra-EU market (200 000 units/year) and which involve a noteworthy environmental impact.

Key objectives of the Directive

Within this context, the key objectives of the Directive 2005/32/EC are as follows:

  • The improvement of the environmental performance of the EuPs in the residential, industrial and tertiary sectors, throughout their entire life cycles by incorporating environmental aspects at the very beginning in the product design stage,
  • The facilitation of free movements of goods across the European Union and the enhancement of the intra-EU trade competitiveness,
  • The protection of the vested interests of each stakeholder notably the industry and the consumers,
  • The increase of security of energy supply,
  • The establishment of a framework defining criteria and conditions for requirements concerning environmentally pertinent products features.

Scope of the Directive

All energy sources that should be covered by first implementing measures have been emphasized on products consuming electricity or fuels. Indeed, although no specific list of priority products have been proposed, a focus on reducing greenhouse gas has been chosen according to EU environmental main concerns. However, this Directive does not come up with environmental impacts but rather with the environmental aspects of theses energy-using products.

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