Introduction
ELD and Ecodesign
The Energy Labelling Directive 2010/30/EU and the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC are considered to be pillars of the EU's energy efficiency policy and they can also significantly contribute to other EU policies such as, for example, resource efficiency, water efficiency and air pollution.
The Energy Labelling Directive 2010/30/EU establishes a legal framework for the Commission to set mandatory energy labelling requirements for energy-related products (except vehicles) placed on the EU market (regardless of their origin) through adopting delegated acts (implementing directives under Directive 92/75/EEC). Energy labels allow consumers to make informed choices by being alerted on the consumption/running cost of a product before they make their purchasing decision.
The Ecodesign Directive establishes a legal framework for the Commission to regulate the environmental characteristics of energy-related products (except vehicles) placed on the EU market (regardless of their origin) through adopting implementing measures laying down ecodesign requirements.
The Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives are complementary, as they respectively push the market and pull it towards more efficient products.
Purpose of this Project
The Energy Labelling Directive contains a clause that requires the Commission to review the effectiveness of its application and of the application of the energy labelling adopted within its framework. Article 14 of the Directive 2010/30/EU states that the Commission should carry out the review not later than 31 December 2014.
The Ecodesign Directive also requires the Commission to review the effectiveness of its application and of the application of the implementing measures adopted within its framework. According to Article 21 of the Directive, the review should be performed not later than 2012. In January 2011, the Commission launched a study evaluating the effectiveness of the Ecodesign Directive that was concluded with a final report published on 16 April 2012. However, because at the moment of the review, the Directive has been in force only for two years, certain aspects of its application could not have been thoroughly and properly assessed and thus they require a new assessment on the basis of new data and evidence.
To thoroughly and correctly review the effectiveness of the Energy Labelling Directive, the energy labelling and specific aspects of the Ecodesign Directive, the Commission will be required to collect and to analyse significant amount of data, to run consultations with stakeholders, and to properly assess complex technical, environmental, economic, legal and social aspects.
The purpose of this study is to provide the Commission with the necessary background information and analysis so that the Commission will be able to make the review and to prepare for the next phases of the process and in particular for the Consultation Forum, for an impact assessment, and the possible drafting of a legislative proposal (when applicable).
