Fridge, TV and washing machines: 10 implementing rules for eco-design establish energy efficiency and other requirements.
Cheaper bills and reduced carbon emissions: the European Union aims to implement the principle of energy efficiency and introduces for the first time rules for eco-design, measures to include repairability and recyclability requirements for refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and televisions, to delay planned obsolescence as much as possible.
Indeed, yesterday the European Commission adopted new measures for products such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and televisions, in a constant effort to reduce Europe's carbon footprint and make energy bills cheaper for consumers.
In particular, the measures are included for the first time under the eco-friendly design to support the repairability and recyclability of products. In addition, existing requirements for durability (for lighting), water consumption (for dishwashers and washing machines) and chemical marking were reviewed and adapted.
The measures, therefore, contribute to the circular economy objectives by improving the lifespan, maintenance, reuse, updating, recyclability and waste management of appliances, contributing to the implementation of the "First energy efficiency" principle of European Union.
These measures, together with the energy labels adopted last March, are expected to produce 167 TWh of final energy savings per year by 2030 (equal to Denmark's annual energy consumption and a reduction of over 46 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent) and save European families on average € 150 per year.
The Commission has adopted 10 Ecodesign Implementing Regulations, which set out energy efficiency and other requirements for the following product groups:
- refrigerators
- washing machines
- dishwasher
- electronic displays (including televisions)
- separate light sources and power supplies
- external energy suppliers
- electric motors
- refrigerators with direct sales function (e.g. refrigerators in supermarkets, vending machines for cold drinks)
- power transformers
- welding equipment
Six of the product groups subject to new and revised ecodesign requirements are also covered by the new energy labeling standards, such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, electronic displays (including televisions), light sources and refrigerators with a function of direct sales.
What improvements have been proposed on the repairability and durability of the appliances?
In order to promote repairability and thus to increase the service life of appliances, several ecodesign measures aim to facilitate repair of products ensuring the availability of spare parts. In particular, they want to guarantee:
- that spare parts are available for a long period after purchase, for example: minimum 7 years for refrigeration appliances (10 years for door seals); minimum 10 years for domestic washing machines and washer-dryers; minimum 10 years for domestic dishwashers (7 years for some parts for which access may be limited to professional repairers);
- that, during this period, the manufacturer ensures the delivery of spare parts within 15 working days;
- that spare parts can be replaced with commonly available tools and without permanent damage to the appliance.
To improve the repair market, manufacturers need to ensure that professional repair and maintenance information is available for professional repairers.
What improvements have been proposed for better water use?
Eco-design measures for washing machines, washer-dryers and dishwashers stipulate a maximum use of water per cycle. At the same time, a minimum of washing efficiency and rinsing efficiency are required so that the reduction in water consumption is not achieved at the expense of washing and rinsing performance.
For domestic washing machines and domestic washer-dryers, the impact assessment of the new measures estimates that 2030 million m711 per year of water savings can be achieved by 3. As for dishwashers, by 2030, water savings should amount to 16 million m3 in one year.
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Germana Carillo
