New EU ecodesign and energy labelling requirements

On the 1 March 2021, ten implementing regulations setting out energy efficiency and other requirements for the several product groups entered into force in the EU

Products in scope of the regulations are: refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, electronic displays (including televisions), light sources and separate control gears, external power suppliers, electric motors, refrigerators with a direct sales function (e.g. fridges in supermarkets, vending machines for cold drinks), power transformers and welding equipment.

Eight of these regulations revise already existing requirements, whereas refrigerators with a direct sales function and welding equipment are regulated for the first time.

Six of the product groups that are subject to new and revised ecodesign requirements, are also covered by new energy labelling rules, i.e. refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, electronic displays (including televisions), light sources and refrigerators with a direct sales function (the relevant regulation is the Energy Labelling Framework Regulation (EU) 2017/1369).

For the affected products, a conformity assessment must be carried out according to the EU Ecodesign Framework Directive 2009/125/EC.  Moreover, several of the ecodesign measures aim at facilitating products repair by ensuring the availability of spare parts.