NewEuPDirectives to control all energy products used
On October 31, 2009, the European Union's "Official Journal" published a new directive (2009/125/EC) related to "energy-related" product design methods. The new directive aims to establish a framework for relevant departments to establish regulations on the environmentally friendly design of energy-related products, replacing the EuP Directive (2005/32/EC) that has been in effect since 2005.
Since the EuP Directive came into effect, the EU has adopted some implementation methods covering several types of energy-consuming products such as televisions, lamps and refrigerators, and is now preparing to launch implementing measures related to imaging equipment, computers and dishwashers.
According to Article 1 of the new EuP Directive, all energy-related products fall within the scope of the new directive in principle. As for the specific products that fall within the scope of the directive, they will be listed in the European Commission's future implementation method. These should continue to include energy-consuming products, such as appliances, but also products related to energy use, such as showerheads and other bathroom fixtures, insulation and double glazing, which, if designed to meet environmental requirements, will help Save energy.
According to Article 2 of the Directive, "energy-related product" refers to any product that is placed on the market and affects energy consumption when used, including parts and components of energy-related products covered by the Directive. Such parts and components Put on the market in individual forms for use by end consumers, and their environmental performance can be independently evaluated.
In the future, products covered by the implementation method must not only comply with the requirements of the measure, but also bear the CE mark. The manufacturer or his authorized representative in the EU must issue a declaration of conformity measures. This is explained in Article 5 of the new directive. Before placing a product on the EU market, the manufacturer or his authorized representative in the EU must conduct a conformity assessment process based on one of the systems mentioned in Annex 4 or 5 of the new directive to ensure that the product complies with the measures (Article 8) . After the product is marked with the CE mark, it can be sold anywhere in the EU market (Article 9).
In addition, manufacturers are responsible for disclosing the following information to consumers (Article 14), including the eco-profile of the product, such as inputs and outputs related to the entire life cycle of the product, green design benefits, and what role consumers can play in making products sustainable.
Article 4 of the Directive refers to the responsibilities of the importer. If the manufacturer is not located in the EU and does not have an authorized representative, the importer will be responsible for ensuring that the products listed on the EU market comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and maintain declarations of conformity and technical documents to respond to the requirements of the competent authorities. Show relevant supporting documents.
When a product meets the criteria mentioned in Article 15(2) of the new directive, the authorities must formulate implementation methods. These criteria are: the sales and trade volume of the product is large, with more than 200,000 units placed on the EU market every year; the product has a significant impact on the environment; the product's environmental performance has room for improvement without involving huge expenditures.
The new directive requires the European Commission to formulate a working plan before October 21, 2011, and list products for which implementation methods should be prioritized for the next three years. Article 17 of the Directive states that voluntary agreements or other self-regulatory measures may replace binding implementation methods.
Member states must implement the provisions of the new Environmental Design Directive (Article 23) by November 20, 2010 at the latest. According to Article 24, the new Environmental Design Directive will replace the current EuP Directive and will come into effect on November 20, 2009.
The content of the new Environmental Design Directive 2009/125/EC is available at the following website:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:285:0010:0035:EN:PDF
– Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Network 2009-11-26 Attachment file:2009_125_EC New EuP.pdf
