Eco Design and Labelling

Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements — household refrigerators

Regulation (EU) 2019/2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for refrigerating appliances

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 with regard to energy labelling of refrigerating appliances

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2019 establishes ecodesign* requirements for the sale or putting into service of electric mains-operated* refrigerating appliances* with a capacity of between 10 and 1,500 litres.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 lays down rules on the labelling of, and supply of additional product information on, these refrigerating appliances.

KEY POINTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2019:

sets out in Annex II the dates when the ecodesign requirements come into force — 1 March 2021 in the first instance and more stringent measures from 1 March 2024. These cover
energy efficiency
functional aspects
resource efficiency
information for installers and end-users;
sets out the conformity assessment procedure, and in Annex III the measurement methods and calculations, that must be followed.

National authorities must apply the verification procedures laid down in Annex IV when carrying out market surveillance checks.

Manufacturers, importers or their authorised representatives must not offer for sale products capable of detecting when being tested and changing their performance accordingly.

Annex V sets out indicative benchmarks based on the best-performing products and technologies available for refrigerating appliances in terms of their energy efficiency index and noise emissions.

The regulation repeals Regulation (EC) No 643/2009 from 1 March 2021.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 sets out obligations on:

suppliers to ensure that:
each refrigerating appliance has a printed label in the format set out in Annex III
the parameters of the product information sheet, set out in Annex V, and the content of the technical documentation (Annex VI) are uploaded into the product database
visual advertisements for a particular model contain the energy efficiency class and range of classes available in line with Annexes VII and VIII
technical promotional material, including on the internet, for a particular model describing its specific parameters includes the appliance’s energy efficiency class and the range of available classes according to Annex VII
dealers receive for each refrigerating appliance an electronic label in Annex III format and an electronic product information sheet as set out in Annex V;
dealers to ensure that:
each refrigerating appliance on sale, including at trade fairs, bears a clearly visible label provided by suppliers in line with Annex III
in the event of distance selling, the label and product information sheet comply with Annexes VII and VIII
visual advertisements, including on the internet, for a specific model contain the energy efficiency class and range of classes according to Annex VII
technical promotional material, including on the internet, for a particular model describing its specific parameters includes the appliance’s energy efficiency class and the range of available classes according to Annex VII;
internet hosting platforms to ensure that
the electronic label and electronic product information sheet provided by the dealer are clearly displayed, according to Annex VIII, on all refrigeration appliances sold directly through the site.

National authorities apply the verification procedure laid down in Annex IX when carrying out market surveillance checks.

The energy efficiency class is based on an index set out in Annex II.

The European Commission must review the regulation in the light of technological progress 6 years after its entry into force. It must also consider addressing circular economy aspects and whether to introduce icons for compartments that may reduce food waste and for annual energy consumption.

The regulation repeals Regulation (EU) No 1060/2020 from 1 March 2021.

Neither regulation applies to:

professional refrigerated storage cabinets and blast cabinets, except professional chest freezers;
refrigerating appliances directly used for sales;
mobile refrigerating appliances;
appliances where refrigerated food storage is not the primary function.

BACKGROUND

Directive 2009/125/EC establishes a framework to set ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. It tasks the Commission to set these for products which are widely sold and traded in the EU and have a significant environmental impact. Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 establishes a framework to set energy labelling requirements for energy-related products to enable consumers to choose more efficient products to reduce their energy consumption.hey both apply from 1 March 2021.

For more information, see:

Review of ecodesign requirements for household cold appliances (European Commission).

Ecodesign: policy to improve, through better design, products’ environmental performance throughout their life cycle, especially their energy efficiency.
Electric mains: electricity supply from the grid of 230 volts.
Refrigerating appliance: an insulated cabinet with one or more compartments controlled at specific temperatures, cooled by natural or forced convection.

DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2019 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for refrigerating appliances pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 643/2009 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 187-208)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of refrigerating appliances and repealing Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1060/2010 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 102-133)

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)

Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (OJ L 285, 31.10.2009, pp. 10-35)

Successive amendments to Directive 2009/125/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Ecodesign and energy labelling — refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function

Regulation (EU) 2019/2024 on ecodesign requirements for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2018 on energy labelling of refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function

Regulation (EU) 2019/2024 establishes ecodesign* requirements for the placing on the market or putting into service mains-operated refrigerating appliances* which have a direct sales function, including appliances sold for refrigerating non-food items.
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2018 lays down rules on the labelling of, and supply of additional product information on, the same refrigerating appliances.

KEY POINTS

The appliances covered by the regulations (refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function) include supermarket cabinets (refrigerators and freezers), refrigerated vending machines, beverage coolers, ice-cream freezers and gelato-scooping cabinets.

The regulations do not cover:

appliances not powered by electricity;
appliances that do not use vapour compression refrigeration;
remote components, such as condensing units or compressors;
food processing appliances;
appliances specifically for medicines or scientific samples;
appliances for live foodstuffs, such as living fish and shellfish;
saladettes (e.g. easy-access serving units for pizza toppings or salad items);
horizontal serving-counters designed to work at chilled operating temperatures;
appliances that have no integrated system for producing cooling and function by ducting chilled air;
vending machines designed to work at frozen operating temperatures;
fish serving-counters with flaked ice;
professional refrigerated storage cabinets, blast cabinets, condensing units and process chillers;
wine storage appliances and minibars.

The Commission regulation:

sets out in Annex II the dates (initially 1 March 2021, with further requirements being introduced from 1 September 2023) when the ecodesign requirements come into force. These cover:
energy efficiency
resource efficiency
information for installers and end-users;
sets out the conformity assessment procedure, and in Annex III the measurement methods and calculations that must be followed.

National authorities must apply the verification procedures laid down in Annex IV when carrying out market surveillance checks.

Manufacturers, importers or their authorised representatives must not place on the market products capable of detecting when being tested and changing their performance accordingly to get a better result for any of the parameters being tested.

Annex V sets out indicative benchmarks based on the best-performing products and technologies available for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function in terms of their energy efficiency index.

The Commission must review the regulation in the light of technological progress and to assess a number of aspects 4 years after its entry into force.

With this Regulation, refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function will be subject to ecodesign requirements for the first time.

The delegated regulation supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 on energy labelling and sets out rules for suppliers, dealers and internet hosting platforms.

Suppliers must ensure that:
each refrigerating appliance with a direct sales function has a printed label in the format set out in Annex III;
the information on the product information sheet, set out in Annex V, and the content of the technical documentation (Annex VI) are uploaded into the product database;
visual advertisements for a particular model contain the energy efficiency class and range of classes available, in line with Annexes VII and VIII;
technical promotional material, including on the internet, for a particular model describing its specific parameters includes the appliance’s energy efficiency class and the range of available classes according to Annex VII;
dealers receive for each refrigerating appliance with a direct sales function an electronic label in Annex III format and an electronic product information sheet as set out in Annex V.

Dealers must ensure that:
each refrigerating appliance with a direct sales function on sale, including at trade fairs, bears a clearly visible label provided by suppliers in line with Annex III;
in the event of distance selling, the label and product information sheet comply with Annexes VII and VIII;
visual advertisements, including on the internet, for a specific model contain the energy efficiency class and range of classes according to Annex VII;
technical promotional material, including on the internet, for a particular model describing its specific parameters includes the appliance’s energy efficiency class and the range of available classes according to Annexes VII and VIII.
Internet hosting platforms must ensure that:
the electronic label and electronic product information sheet provided by the dealer are clearly displayed, according to Annex VIII, on all refrigeration appliances with a direct sales function sold directly through the site.

National authorities apply the verification procedure laid down in Annex IX when carrying out market surveillance checks.

The energy efficiency class is based on an index set out in Annex II.

The Commission must review the regulation in the light of technological progress 4 years after its entry into force.

BACKGROUND

DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2024 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 313-334)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2018 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 155-186)

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)

Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 Text with EEA relevance OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, p. 195-230

Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) (OJ L 197, 24.7.2012, pp. 38-71)

Successive amendments to Directive 2012/19/EU have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Ecodesign and energy labelling — light sources and separate control gear

Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 on ecodesign requirements for light sources and separate control gears

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 on energy labelling of light sources

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 establishes ecodesign* requirements for the sale or putting into service of light sources and separate control gears. It repeals Regulations (EC) No 244/2009, (EC) No 245/2009 and (EU) No 1194/2012.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 lays down rules on the energy labelling of light sources. It supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 on energy labelling and repeals Regulation (EU) No 874/2012.

KEY POINTS

A light source is an electrically operated product intended to emit, or capable of emitting, light using incandescence, fluorescence, high-intensity discharge, inorganic light emitting diodes (LED) or organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and includes certain high-pressure sodium light sources.

Control gear are devices which operate with light sources to prepare mains electricity for the electricity requirement of the light source. This may include transforming the supply and starting voltage, limiting current supply, preventing cold starting, correcting the power factor or reducing radio interference. It does not include power supplies.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2020:

stipulates in Annex II the date (1 September 2021) when the ecodesign requirements come into force, covering
energy efficiency
functional requirements
information and labelling for professionals and end-users;
sets out exemptions in Annex III for light sources or control gear specifically designed to operate
in potentially explosive atmospheres
for emergency use
in radiological and nuclear medicine installations
in or on military or civil defence establishments, equipment, ground vehicles, marine equipment or aircraft
in or on motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, towed equipment, components and separate technical units
in or on non-road mobile machinery
in or on certain equipment intended to be towed
in or on civil aviation aircraft
in railway vehicle lighting
in marine equipment
in medical devices;
sets out additional exemptions, such as
electronic displays (e.g. televisions, computer monitors, notebooks, tablets, mobile phones and game consoles)
light sources and separate control gears in battery-operated products, including torches, mobile phones with an integrated torch light, toys including light sources, and desk lamps operating only on batteries
light sources for spectroscopy and photometric applications
light sources and separate control gears on bicycles and other non-motorised vehicles
certain other light sources listed in Annex III, which must only fulfil the information requirements in the regulation.

National authorities must apply the verification procedures laid down in Annex IV when carrying out market surveillance checks.

Models of LED and OLED light sources must undergo endurance testing to verify their lumen maintenance and survival factor.

Annex V sets out indicative benchmarks for the environmental aspects considered significant and quantifiable, based on the best available technology.

The Commission must review the regulation in the light of technological progress and to assess a number of aspects 5 years after its entry into force.

Under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2015:

Suppliers of light sources must ensure that:

each light source has a printed label on the packaging, in the format set out in Annex III;
the parameters of the product information sheet and the content of the technical documentation, as set out in Annexes V and VI, are entered into the product database;
on request by dealers, product information sheets are made available in printed form;
visual advertising and any technical promotional material, including technical promotional material on the internet, contains the energy efficiency class of the light source model and the range of energy efficiency classes available on the label, in accordance with Annex VII and Annex VIII;
an electronic label in the format and containing the information, as set out in Annex III, is made available to dealers for each light source model;
an electronic product information sheet, as set out in Annex V, is made available to dealers for each light source model;
on request by dealers, printed rescaled* product labels are provided as a sticker of the same size as that which already exists.

Dealers must ensure that:

at the point of sale, each light source bears the clearly visible energy class label provided by suppliers;
in the event of distance selling, the label and product information sheet are provided;
any visual advertising or technical promotional material, including on the internet, contains the energy efficiency class of the lighting source model and the range of energy efficiency classes available on the label;
existing labels on light sources at points of sale are covered by the rescaled labels, at the latest 18 months after the application date of the Regulation.
Where an internet hosting service provider allows the selling of light sources through its internet site, the service provider must enable the display of the electronic label and electronic product information sheet provided by the dealer and must inform the dealer of the obligation to display them.

BACKGROUND

Directive 2009/125/EC establishes a framework to set ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. It tasks the Commission to set these for products which are widely sold and traded in the EU and have a significant environmental impact.
Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 establishes a framework to set energy labelling requirements for energy-related products to enable consumers to choose more efficient products to reduce their energy consumption.They both apply from 1 September 2021.
For more information, see:
The new ecodesign measures explained (European Commission)
About the energy label and ecodesign (European Commission).

Ecodesign: policy to improve, through better design, products’ environmental performance throughout their life cycle, especially their energy efficiency.
Rescaled product labels: energy efficiency labels reclassified, so that products previously ranging from A+++ to G were replaced by A to G to balance out the high number of the more energy-efficient classes.

DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for light sources and separate control gears pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Regulations (EC) No 244/2009, (EC) No 245/2009 and (EU) No 1194/2012 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 209-240)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of light sources and repealing Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 874/2012 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 68-101)

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)

Successive amendments to Directive 2009/125/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Ecodesign and energy labelling — electronic displays

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 on ecodesign requirements for electronic displays

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2013 on energy labelling of electronic displays

Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 establishes ecodesign* requirements for the sale or putting into service of electronic displays*, including televisions, monitors and digital signs. The regulation repeals Regulation (EC) 642/2009 that only applied to televisions and television monitors.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2013 lays down rules on the labelling of and supply of additional product information on these products. It repeals Regulation (EU) No 1062/2010 that only applied to televisions and television monitors .

The regulations do not apply to certain display products, such as projectors, medical displays, small electronic displays or all-in-one video conference systems. Other devices, such as broadcast, professional and security displays, digital interactive whiteboards, or digital photo frames, have only to meet some of the requirements, such as those relating to material efficiency (ease of repair and recycling).

KEY POINTS

Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 sets out:

the ecodesign requirements in line with Directive 2009/125/EC;
in Annex II, the date (1 March 2021) when the ecodesign requirements come into force. These cover:
energy efficiency
off-mode and standby mode requirements
material efficiency, including design for dismantling, better recycling and increasing materials recovery
information for repairers and spare parts providers, including availability of software and firmware updates
availability of spare parts;
the conformity assessment procedure, and in Annex III the measurement methods and calculations that must be followed.

National authorities must apply the verification procedures laid down in Annex IV when carrying out market surveillance checks.

Annex V sets out indicative benchmarks based on the best available technology on the market (during the preparation of the legislation) for the environmental aspects considered significant and quantifiable.

The Commission must review the regulation in the light of technological progress and assess a number of aspects 3 years after its entry into force.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2013 supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 on energy labelling and sets out rules for suppliers, dealers and internet hosting platforms.

Suppliers must ensure that:
each electronic display is supplied with a printed labelin the format and containing the information set out in Annex III;
the information on the product information sheet, as in Annex V, and the contents of the technical documentation, as in Annex VI, are entered into the product database;
if specifically requested by the dealer, the product information sheet is made available in printed form;
any visual advertising or technical promotional material for a specific model of electronic display, including on the internet, contains the energy efficiency class and the range of efficiency classes available on the label (see Annex VII and Annex VIII);
an electronic label, in the format and containing the information as set out in Annex III, is made available to dealers for each electronic display model;
an electronic product information sheet, as set out in Annex V, is made available to dealers for each electronic display model;
the label must be printed on the packaging or stuck on it.

Dealers must ensure that:
each electronic display, at the point of sale, including at trade fairs, bears the supplier’s label displayed on the front of the appliance or hung on it or placed in such a way as to be clearly visible and unequivocally associated to the specific model;
provided that the electronic display is kept in on-mode when visible to customers for sale, the electronic label displayed on the screen may replace the printed label;
where an electronic display model is displayed in a point of sale without any unit displayed out of the box, the label printed on the box or stuck on it shall be visible;
in distance selling or telemarketing, the label and product information sheet are provided in accordance with Annexes VII and VIII;
any visual advertisement or technical promotional material for a specific model of electronic display, including on the Internet, contains the energy efficiency class and the range of efficiency classes available on the label, in accordance with Annex VII.

Internet hosting platforms must ensure that:
the electronic label and electronic product information sheet provided by the dealer is displayed in accordance with the Annex VIII, and must inform the dealer of the obligation to display them.
National authorities apply the verification procedure laid down in Annex IX when carrying out market surveillance checks.

The energy efficiency class is based on an index set out in Annex II.

The Commission must review the regulation in the light of technological progress 3 years after its entry into force.

BACKGROUND

Directive 2009/125/EC establishes a framework to set ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. The Commission must set these for products which are widely sold and traded in the EU and have a significant environmental impact.
Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 establishes a framework to set energy labelling requirements for energy-related products to enable consumers to choose more efficient products to reduce their energy consumption.They both apply from 1 March 2021. However, the requirement that electronic displays be supplied with a printed label in the format and containing the information set out in Annex III of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2013 applies from 1 November 2020.

Televisions — Energy labelling and ecodesign requirements

About the energy label and ecodesign (European Commission).

Ecodesign: Policy to improve, through better design, products’ environmental performance throughout their life cycle, especially their energy efficiency.
Electronic display: a display screen and associated electronics that, as its primary function, displays visual information received from wired or wireless sources.

DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for electronic displays pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 642/2009 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 241-266)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2013 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of electronic displays and repealing Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1062/2010 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 1-28)

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)

Communication from the Commission — Ecodesign Working Plan 2016-2019 (COM(2016) 773 final, 30.11.2016)

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Closing the loop — An EU action plan for the Circular Economy (COM(2015) 614 final, 2.12.2015)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 617/2013 of 26 June 2013 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for computers and computer servers (OJ L 175, 27.6.2013, p. 13-33)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) No 617/2013 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) (OJ L 197, 24.7.2012, pp. 38-71)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1062/2010 of 28 September 2010 supplementing Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of televisions (OJ L 314, 30.11.2010, pp. 64-80)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 of 17 December 2008 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for standby and off mode electric power consumption of electrical and electronic household and office equipment (OJ L 339, 18.12.2008, pp. 45-52)

Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements — washing machines and household washer-dryers

Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 laying down ecodesign requirements for household washing machines and household washer-dryers

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 on energy labelling of household washing machines and household washer-dryers

Household washing machines and washer dryers are subject to new and revised ecodesign* requirements and energy labelling* rules. Ecodesign and energy labelling go hand-in-hand providing European consumers with valuable information to enable them to make an informed choice and eventually increase the market for more energy efficient products.

Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 sets out ecodesign requirements, pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC, for the sale or putting into service of electric mains-operated household washing machines and washer dryers. It amends Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repeals Regulation (EU) No 1015/2010 as of 1 March 2021.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 sets out rules on the labelling of, and supply of additional product information on, the same appliances. It supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and repeals Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1061/2010 and Commission Directive 96/60/EC.

KEY POINTS

Regulation (EU) 2019/2023

Does not apply to household washing machines with a capacity of less than 2 kg and household washer-dryers with a capacity of 2 kg or less.
Sets out the ecodesign requirements in Annex II, which cover:
programme requirements, including rules on providing an ‘eco 40-60’ programme and (for washer-dryers) a wash & dry cycle. The eco 40-60 programme must be set as the default programme where possible, or made available for direct selection without the need for any other selection such as a specific temperature or load. The indications ‘normal’, ‘daily’, ‘regular’ and ‘standard’ must not be used in programme names either alone or in combination with other information;
wash and dry cycle;
energy efficiency;
functional requirements (washing efficiency and rinsing effectiveness);
requirements on duration;
water consumption;
low power modes (off mode and stand-by mode);
resource efficiency, including availability of spare parts, access to repair and maintenance information, material recovery and recycling;
information for installers and end-users.

Sets out the conformity assessment procedure: national authorities must apply the verification procedures laid down in Annex IV when carrying out market surveillance checks, and the measurement methods and calculations that must be followed, in Annex III.
Sets out in Annex V indicative benchmarks based on the best-performing products and technologies available for such appliances in terms of their water and energy consumption, washing efficiency and airborne acoustical noise emissions.

The European Commission must review the regulation in the light of technological progress and assess a number of aspects, such as requirements for reducing microplastics, 6 years after its entry into force.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014

Sets out the energy efficiency class, the spin-drying efficiency class and the acoustic airborne noise emission class which are based on an index in Annex II.

This delegated act sets out obligations on suppliers, including to ensure that:

each household washing machine and household washer-dryer is supplied with a printed label in the format as set out in Annex III and, for a multi-drum household washing machine or a multi-drum household washer-dryer, in accordance with Annex X;
the parameters of the product information sheet (Annex V) and of the technical documentation (Annex VI) are entered into the product database;
an electronic label in the format and containing the information as set out in Annex III is made available to dealers for each model of household washing machine and of household washer-dryer.

Sets out obligations on dealers, including to ensure that:

each appliance on sale bears a clearly visible label provided by suppliers in line with Annex III;
in the event of distance selling, the label and product information sheet comply with Annexes VII and VIII.
Internet hosting platforms must ensure that the electronic label and electronic product information sheet provided by the dealer are clearly displayed, according to Annex VIII, on all such appliances sold directly through the site.

National authorities apply the verification procedure laid down in Annex IX when carrying out market surveillance checks.

The Commission must review these regulations in the light of technological progress 6 years after the entry into force including the possibility of addressing circular economy objectives.

BACKGROUND

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 establishes a framework to set energy labelling requirements for energy-related products to enable consumers to choose more efficient products to reduce their energy consumption. The regulations apply apply from 1 March 2021.

The WEEE Directive set requirements on e.g. recovery and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to reduce the negative environmental effects resulting from the generation and management of WEEE and from resource use.

For more information, see:

Washing machines (European Commission)
The new ecodesign measures explained (European Commission)
EU Ecodesign for Washing Machines and Washer Dryers (European Commission Joint Research Centre)
New energy efficiency labels explained (European Commission)
About the energy label and ecodesign (European Commission).

DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for household washing machines and household washer-dryers pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repealing Commission Regulation (EU) No 1015/2010 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 285-312)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of household washing machines and household washer-dryers and repealing Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1061/2010 and Commission Directive 96/60/EC (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 29-67)

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)

Successive amendments to Directive 2009/125/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Ecodesign and energy labelling — household dishwashers

Regulation (EU) 2019/2022 on ecodesign requirements for household dishwashers

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017 on energy labelling of household dishwashers

Household dishwashers are subject to new and revised ecodesign* requirements and energy labelling* rules. Ecodesign and energy labelling go hand-in-hand providing European consumers with valuable information to enable them to make an informed choice and eventually increase the market for more energy efficient products.

Regulation (EU) 2019/2022 sets out ecodesign requirements, pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC, for the sale of or putting into service electric mains-operated household dishwashers, including built-in household dishwashers and electric mains-operated household dishwashers that can also be powered by batteries. It amends Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repeals Regulation (EU) No 1016/2010.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017 sets out rules on the labelling of, and supply of additional product information on, these appliances. It supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and repeals Regulation (EU) No 1059/2010.

KEY POINTS

The Regulation (EU) 2019/2022:

Sets out the ecodesign requirements in Annex II, which cover:
programme requirements, including rules on providing an eco programme. The eco programme must be set as the default programme where possible, or made available for direct selection without the need for any other selection such as a specific temperature or load. The indications ‘normal’, ‘daily’, ‘regular’ and ‘standard’ must not be used in programme names either alone or in combination with other information;
energy efficiency;
functional requirements, including cleaning and drying performance;
low power modes (off mode and standby mode);
resource efficiency, including availability of spare parts, access to repair and maintenance information, material recovery and recycling;
information for installers and end-users.
Sets out the conformity assessment procedure: national authorities must apply the verification procedures laid down in Annex IV when carrying out market surveillance checks, and the measurement methods and calculations that must be followed in Annex III.

Annex V sets out indicative benchmarks based on the best available technology on the market for energy efficiency, energy and water consumption, airborne acoustical noise emissions and programme duration for the eco programme.
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017 supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 on energy labelling and sets out:

The energy efficiency class and the acoustic airborne noise emission class which are based on an index set out in Annex II.

Suppliers must ensure that:

each household dishwasher has a printed label in the format set out in Annex III;
the parameters of the product information sheet (Annex V), and the content of the technical documentation (Annex VI) are uploaded into the product database;
dealers receive for each household dishwasher model an electronic label in Annex III format and an electronic product information sheet as set out in Annex V.

Dealers must ensure that:

each household dishwasher bears a clearly visible label provided by suppliers in line with Annex III;
in the event of distance selling, the label and product information sheet comply with Annexes VII and VIII.
Internet hosting platforms must ensure that the electronic label and electronic product information sheet provided by the dealer are clearly displayed, according to Annex VIII, on all household dishwashers sold directly through the site.

National authorities apply the verification procedure laid down in Annex IX when carrying out market surveillance checks.

The European Commission must review these regulations in the light of technological progress 6 years after the entry into force including the possibility of addressing circular economy objectives.

BACKGROUND

Directive 2009/125/EC establishes a framework to set ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. It tasks the Commission to set these for products which are widely sold and traded in the EU and have a significant environmental impact.
Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 establishes a framework to set energy labelling requirements for energy-related products to enable consumers to choose more efficient products to reduce their energy consumption.They both apply from 1 March 2021.

DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2022 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for household dishwashers pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repealing Commission Regulation (EU) No 1016/2010 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 267-284)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of household dishwashers and repealing Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1059/2010 (OJ L 315, 5.12.2019, pp. 134-154)

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)

Ecolabel

Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel

It concerns the European Union (EU) Ecolabel which is a voluntary environmental labelling scheme.
By means of transparent ecological criteria, it enables consumers to make conscious choices without compromising on the quality of the products.

The EU Ecolabel may be awarded to products and services which have a lower environmental impact than other products in the same group. The label criteria were devised using scientific data on the whole of a product’s life cycle, from product development to disposal.

The label may be awarded to all goods or services distributed, consumed or used on the EU market whether in return for payment or free of charge, on condition that the ecological criteria have been clearly established. It does not apply to medicinal products for human or veterinary use, or to medical devices.
The system was introduced by Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 and amended by Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000. This Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 aims to improve the rules on the award, use and operation of the label.

Award criteria

The label is awarded in consideration of European environmental and ethical objectives. It also promotes the EU’s transition to a circular economy, supporting both sustainable production and consumption. In particular:
the impact of goods and services on climate change, nature and biodiversity, energy and resource consumption, generation of waste, pollution, emissions and the release of hazardous substances into the environment;
the substitution of hazardous substances by safer substances;
durability and reusability of products;
ultimate impact on the environment, including on consumer health and safety;
compliance with social and ethical standards, such as international labour standards;
taking into account criteria established by other labels at national and regional levels;
reducing animal testing.

The label cannot be awarded to products containing substances classified by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 as toxic, hazardous to the environment, carcinogenic or mutagenic, or substances subject to the regulatory framework for the management of chemicals.

Competent bodies

EU countries must designate one or more bodies responsible for the labelling process at national level. Their operations shall be transparent and their activities shall be open to the involvement of all interested parties.
They are specifically responsible for regularly checking that products comply with the label criteria. Their remit also includes receiving complaints, informing the public, monitoring false advertising and prohibiting products.
The procedure for award and use of the label

In order to be awarded the label, economic operators shall submit an application to:
one or more EU countries, which will send it to the competent national body;
a non-EU country, which will send it to the EU country where the product is marketed.

If the product complies with the label criteria, the competent body shall conclude a contract with the operator, establishing the terms of use and withdrawal of the label. The operator may then place the label on the product. The use of the label is subject to payment of a fee when the application is made, and an annual fee.
The European Commission has created a catalogue of products which have been awarded the label.

The European Union Ecolabelling Board (EUEB)

A 2010 Commission decision (Decision 2010/709/EU) establishes the EUEB. Its members are appointed by the Commission. It is composed of representatives from the EU countries and the European Economic Area, as well as from certain European organisations representing, for example, consumers, business and environmental concerns. The Commission consults the EUEB when developing or revising the award criteria and requirements of the label.

Ecological criteria

The Commission has adopted a series of decisions establishing ecological criteria for the awarding of the EU Ecolabel to different types of products; for several of these, the validity period expired by the end of December 2016.
The Commission also adopted Regulation (EU) No 782/2013 replacing Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 and amending the maximum fees allowed for financing the evaluation and processing of requests for the Ecolabel made by product manufacturers.

DOCUMENTS

Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel (OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, pp. 1-19)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 have been incorporated in to the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Commission Decision 2010/709/EU of 22 November 2010 establishing the European Union Ecolabelling Board (OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 53)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 782/2013 of 14 August 2013 amending Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the EU Ecolabel (OJ L219, 15.8.2013, pp. 26-27)

Commission Decision (EU) 2016/2003 of 14 November 2016 amending Decisions 2009/300/EC, 2011/263/EU, 2011/264/EU, 2011/382/EU, 2011/383/EU, 2012/720/EU and 2012/721/EU in order to prolong the period of validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel to certain products (OJ L 308, 16.11.2016, pp. 59–61)

Establishing an EU-wide legal

Methodology for the eco-design of energy-related products

is efficient and consistent and prevents duplication or differences with voluntary or regulatory national initiatives.

Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of eco-design requirements for energy-related products

It establishes a framework for minimum eco-design requirements which goods that consume energy must meet before they can be used or sold in the EU. It does not apply to transport used to carry people or goods.

KEY POINTS

Eco-design requirements cover all stages of a product’s life: from raw materials, manufacturing, packaging and distribution to installation, maintenance, use and end-of life.
For each phase, various environmental aspects are assessed by bodies designated by EU countries. They verify aspects such as the materials and energy consumed, expected emissions and waste and possibilities for reuse, recycling and recovery.

Manufacturers must construct an ecological profile* of their products and use this to consider alternative design possibilities.
Products which satisfy the requirements bear the CE marking and may be sold anywhere in the EU.
Directive 2012/27/EU amended the 2009 legislation to further promote energy efficiency*. It requires national authorities to do the following.

Establish an indicative national energy efficiency target.
Approve a long-term strategy to renovate residential and commercial buildings.
Renovate, from 1 January 2014, 3 % of the total floor area of government-owned buildings.

Introduce energy efficiency obligation schemes to achieve an annual 1.5 % energy saving* by final customers between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2020.
Submit large enterprises to an independent energy audit from 2016.
Ensure customers are billed on their actual consumption at least once a year.
Inform the Commission, by 31 December 2015, of the potential for efficient co-generation* and district heating and cooling*.

KEY TERMS

*Eco-design: the integration of environmental aspects into product design with the aim of improving the environmental performance of the product throughout its whole life cycle.

*Ecological profile: a description of the inputs and outputs (such as materials, emissions and waste) associated with a product throughout its life cycle which are significant from the point of view of their environmental impact. These inputs and outputs are expressed in physical quantities that can be measured.

*Energy efficiency: using less energy to provide the same service. Examples in terms of products are: energy-efficient fridges and washing machines.

*Energy saving: reducing or going without a service to save energy. Example: turning off a light.

*Co-generation: the simultaneous production of electricity and heat, both of which are used.

*District heating: a heating network that enables energy, which is often wasted in power generation or industrial processes, to be harnessed and delivered to a point of use.

*District cooling: the centralised production and distribution of cooling energy. The cold water pumped around the district cooling network is used to cool the air circulating in ventilation systems. The water is then fed back to the production plant to be cooled again.

REFERENCES

Directive 2009/125/EC

Directive 2012/27/EU