Thanks to the EU Ecodesign Directive, our energy-consuming products are becoming increasingly eco-friendly. As an entrepreneur, it is imperative that your products comply with the Ecodesign Directive, otherwise they are not permitted to be sold.
“We can help with information, tests and evaluations,” says Caroline Haglund Stignor, Ecodesign Directive expert at RISE.
For entrepreneurs, there are regulations and laws in abundance which must be adhered to. One of the most important for manufacturers of energy-consuming products is the EU regulation pertaining to the Ecodesign Directive and the closely related Energy Labelling Directive.
At RISE we can help them by providing information, training, tests and evaluations
“You look at the current levels, whether it has improved and whether requirements can be tightened, because the goal is to tighten the requirements continually. But you carry out a comprehensive assessment of the impact it has on society and for consumers, and how much more expensive it will be,” says Haglund Stignor.
From mainly focusing on a product’s energy consumption initially, the EU is now placing increasing emphasis on ensuring that the product has a long service life and that it is made from reusable materials.
“As products consume less and less energy, the choice of materials in the product becomes more important. The product must last as long as possible, and you should preferably also be able to reuse the materials when the product breaks so that they can be used at least one more time,” says Haglund Stignor.
RISE offerts expertise and support
For smaller companies, it can sometimes be difficult to adhere to the regulations and, above all, find out what is or isn’t applicable. In this, RISE can offer advice and support.
“Large companies are often able to appoint one or more people to study the regulations, but this is notalways possible for a smaller company. But here at RISE we can help them by providing information, training, tests and evaluations,” says Haglund Stignor.
She underscores, however, that companies have a legal responsibility to satisfy the requirements stipulated in the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling directives.
“It’s imperative that companies declare their data themselves; we don’t do it for them – the onus is on them,” explains Haglund Stignor.
Clear link to the environment
The requirements are an integral aspect of the EU’s overall environmental policy.
“When products become more energy efficient, it leads to fewer emissions. There are also requirements for many products regarding emissions of different types of air pollutants, and some have requirements fornoise levels. Certain noise is also a form of environmental pollution. So there is a very clear link to the environment,” concludes Haglund Stignor.
Contact person
Caroline Haglund Stignor
Förstärkningsområdesledare Robust och Flexibelt Energisystem,Senior forskare
Contact Caroline