Ecodesign: How does it work and how can we take into account refrigerants?

The main instruments to regulate energy efficiency of products include the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives, the first one addressing the supply side and the second one the demand side. It is the combined effect of both measures which ensures a dynamic improvement of the market. Ecodesign aims to improve the environmental performance of energy-related products and harmonise “ecodesign requirements” across EU Member States. Energy labeling provides market transparency for consumers, incentives for innovation for manufacturers, market transformation towards highly efficient products/energy savings complementary to “minimum” ecodesign requirements. The presentation discusses the different steps in the Ecodesign process, which is in general a 3 year process, from preparatory studies on product groups to adoption of a regulation, and how stakeholders can get involved, the product groups for which regulations are already in place, those for which measures are under preparation and those that are planned for the near future.