EU Ecodesign Directive

The EU Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) sets mandatory energy-efficiency and environmental-performance requirements for energy-related products (ErP). In 2022, the European Commission proposed replacing it with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), expanding its scope to nearly all goods placed on the EU market.

Key Objectives

• Reduce energy and resource consumption during the use phase.
• Improve durability, repairability, and recyclability.
• Create digital product passports for traceability and circularity.
• Drive the circular economy and climate neutrality across the EU Single Market.

Covered Products

• Household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines): 40% energy savings compared to 2010.
• Lighting (LED, fluorescent): 65% reduction in kWh/year.
• ICT devices (TVs, monitors): 30% decrease in annual kWh.
• Electric motors (IE3–IE4): 25% reduction in electrical losses.

Upcoming ESPR Extensions

• Textiles and footwear
• Furniture and mattresses
• Construction materials (steel, aluminium, cement)
• Batteries and photovoltaic panels

Compliance Indicators

• Repairability index: ≥ 7/10
• Recycled content: ≥ 30%
• Guaranteed durability: ≥ 10 years
• Energy efficiency (label A): 100% of new units

Relation to Circular Design and Environmental Footprint

The Directive promotes circular design and reduces the embodied carbon of products, aligning with the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and climate-neutrality targets (ISO 14068).

The new ESPR is expected to generate 150 TWh in net savings and avoid 250 Mt CO₂e annually by 2030, consolidating the EU as a global leader in ecodesign.