European Commission presents new ecodesign rules for electrical appliances in “standby” mode

This week the European Commission adopted new EU rules to reduce the energy consumption of electrical appliances when they are in ‘standby’ mode. The revised rules introduce a number of amendments to the 2008 ecodesign regulation on standby, off mode and networked standby, last updated in 2013, following an extensive consultation exercise and scrutiny from … Continue reading European Commission presents new ecodesign rules for electrical appliances in “standby” mode →

New report by Coolproducts: Impact of a ban of fossil heating technologies on NECPs and National Energy Dependency

Coolproducts coalition of European NGOs working to ensure that ecodesign and energy labelling truly work for Europeans and the environment. It recently published a report that investigates the potential impact of an EU ban on sales of fossil boilers on achievement of existing targets for heating decarbonisation and energy dependency of the individual Member States. … Continue reading New report by Coolproducts: Impact of a ban of fossil heating technologies on NECPs and National Energy Dependency →

Energy efficiency labels can have wider effects, including causing a small amount of people selling their properties to act just like those companies by actually redesigning their homes

David Comerford, Senior Lecturer of Economics and Behavioural Science at University of Stirling writes on The Conversation website about what it would take to make good energy efficiency labels even more effective. Climate change: efficiency labels really do encourage less energy use – but there’s a better way of using them Reducing our energy … Continue reading Energy efficiency labels can have wider effects, including causing a small amount of people selling their properties to act just like those companies by actually redesigning their homes →

New EEA briefing on applying circular economy principles in the renewable energy sector to address waste and resource challenges

A rapid transition to renewable energy is necessary if Europe is to achieve its climate objectives. Developing the infrastructure to enable this change will require substantial resources and generate large volumes of waste as equipment reaches the end of its service life. Applying circular economy principles in this sector provides a win-win approach to address … Continue reading New EEA briefing on applying circular economy principles in the renewable energy sector to address waste and resource challenges →

There is a lot of low-hanging fruit that the EU can pick when it comes to making waste rules more effective

Sam Morgan writes on the Engineering & Technology website about the current situation in the EU concerning e-waste and what can be done to improve effectiveness. View from Brussels: Make e-haste not e-waste EU efforts to collect and recycle electronic waste are among the most effective in the world but there is plenty of … Continue reading There is a lot of low-hanging fruit that the EU can pick when it comes to making waste rules more effective →

Post-Brexit energy performance standards: to be more ambitious?

The UK Government claims it wants to take the opportunity to set more ‘ambitious’ rules after the end of the post-Brexit transition period. This obviously means that the UK will not stay in ecodesign that is the directive for minimum energy performance standards for products or the energy labelling regulation. This will be quite a … Continue reading Post-Brexit energy performance standards: to be more ambitious? →

New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics

Extending the lifetime and delaying obsolescence of electronics can significantly reduce their environmental and climate impacts and contribute to meeting the European Union’s (EU) environment, climate and circular economy objectives. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, smartphones, televisions, washing machines and vacuum cleaners all are used on average for shorter … Continue reading New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics →

New Ecodesign measures: adding new energy savings to reach 2030 target

The European Commission recently adopted new Ecodesign measures for 10 product groups. For the first time, the measures include requirements for repairability and recyclability, contributing to circular economy objectives by improving the life span, maintenance, re-use, upgrade, recyclability and waste handling of appliances. Industry, environmental and consumer groups welcomed these new requirements. The Commission has … Continue reading New Ecodesign measures: adding new energy savings to reach 2030 target →