European Ecodesign Directive Activity Update

This year has proven to be an active one for Europe's Ecodesign Directive for Energy-related Products (ErP). Recently, four new efficiency standards were published.

Three are “vertical” standards that regulate the active-mode energy consumption and performance of specific, or “vertical,” product groups:

• Vacuum cleaners (Lot 17)
  Limits annual energy consumption, rated input power, dust pickup, sound level, hose and motor lifetime
• Space heaters and combination heaters (Boilers) (Lot 1)
  Regulates minimum “seasonal space heating efficiency”, maximum sound power level, maximum emissions of nitrogen oxides
• Water heaters (Lot 2)
  Regulates minimum water heating energy efficiency, maximum sound power level, maximum emissions of nitrogen oxides

The fourth standard amends a current “horizontal” regulation, No. 1275/2008, which sets the maximum standby and off mode power consumption allowed for a wide range of non-similar product groups, including household appliances (i.e. washing machines, clothes dryers, electric ovens, microwave ovens), information technology (i.e. computers, printers, scanners), and consumer entertainment equipment (i.e. televisions, audio amplifiers, home theater systems). The new amendment (No. 801/2013), adds standby performance requirements for networked equipment and coffee makers to the current list of products covered. It also amends the television standard (No. 642/2009) to include standby and off-mode power requirements for networked TVs.

To download copies of the completed standards as well as working documents for standards “in progress,” click here.