Ecodesign regulations for industrial equipment: opportunities and challenges

Panel: 2. Sustainable production design and supply chain initiatives

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Edouard Toulouse, France
Stamatis Sivitos, ECOS (European Environmental Citizens' Organisation for Standardisation), Belgium
Norbert Reintjes, Ökopol GmbH - Institut für Ökologie und Politik, Germany
Laura Spengler, Ökopol GmbH - Institut für Ökologie und Politik, Germany

Abstract

Regulations developed under the EU Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) set minimum energy performance requirements for products placed on the European market. Such product specific policies – implemented in many countries – have proved their worth primarily for household appliances. However, particularly in the commercial, professional and industrial sectors a huge energy savings potential remains untapped under current market conditions. The scope of the Directive also includes products from these sectors.

The first related Ecodesign measure for motors - adopted in 2009 - should achieve an estimated saving of 135 TWh of electricity per year by 2020, three times more than what is triggered by the ban of incandescent lightbulbs. Ongoing processes assess the options for product groups such as machine tools, professional refrigeration and air conditioning units, water pumps, industrial furnaces, electric transformers, etc.

Industrial products and equipment pose specific challenges, which need to be taken into account in order to design effective minimum performance requirements. This paper discusses some of these challenges, frequently experienced during preliminary investigations.

For instance, adequate scoping and access to quality data is a first issue, especially for poorly monitored sectors. The debate on component versus system approach is also a recurrent concern. Addressing products with a high level of design and installation customisation requires new and creative approaches. Verification and enforcement of regulations set on large industrial equipment may as well be a specific barrier. Last, identifying and limiting the overlap between Ecodesign measures and other EU industrial policies is important.

Lessons learned and examples from former and on-going preparatory studies and consultations are used to support the discussion and our general recommendations.