Ecodesign policy

The European Union has launched in 2005 a crucial policy process to reduce the environmental impacts of the main products and appliances we use daily: the Directive on the Ecodesign of Energy-Using Products. This policy will set mandatory ecological requirements on products placed on the European market. If  ambitious enough, it could ensure that products sold in the EU are eco-performant and use the best available technologies to reduce energy consumption.
This policy has a tremendous potential to save energy and cut CO2 emissions by 500 million tons per year by 2020. This is more than any other legislation on transport or industrial plants. Moreover, improving products will help us save money on energy bills.
Around 40 product categories have been chosen so far and will be covered by Ecodesign and/or Energy Labelling measures.
The product groups include boilers, water heaters, computers, monitors, printers, TVs, lamps, air-conditioners, industrial motors, fridges, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, etc...

Information on this process and ECOS activities

ECOS is representing the environmental NGOs in the consultations organised by the European Commission to set Ecodesign and Energy Labelling measures on products. We are active both at technical level (issuing detailed position papers) and in trying to raise more public awareness about this essential policy.

• Our "Cool Products for a Cool Planet" campaign aims at providing a first approach to the ecodesign policy and involving civil society. Our website www.coolproducts.eu is the coolest way to get a first jargon-free insight, read our latest coolblog entries and understand the challenges for the most iconic product categories.
• Our website for experts www.experts.coolproducts.eu provides a more in-depth description of all the on-going policy work, with links to the official working documents from the European Commission, detailed position papers from ECOS and all other technical information. The most comprehensive website for experts interested in this policy.

Newsletters

ECOS is also proposing a service of free newsletters:

• The Coolproducts Newsletter summarises every two/three months the latest additions to our coolblog and campaign website.
• The [Coolproducts Update] expert list is a mailing list providing regular insights and in-depth analysis on the policy implementation. You can read the latest posts here. To register to this expert list, please send a request to: edouard.toulouse /at/ ecostandard.org.