Ecodesign

Ecodesign. Integrating environmental considerations into product development while balancing ecological and economic requirements has become essential. Ecodesign considers environmental factors at every stage of development, aiming to create products with the lowest possible environmental impact throughout their life cycle.

Ecodesign for a Clean, Liveable World

Ecodesign aims to create environmentally responsible products by addressing energy efficiency and controlling factors that contribute to environmental pollution.

What Are the Legal Requirements?

The Ecodesign Directive introduces rules and limits to improve the environmental performance of products such as household appliances, information and communication technology equipment, and engineering products. It sets minimum mandatory requirements for their energy efficiency.

In Türkiye, the Regulation on the Environmentally Conscious Design of Energy-Related Products was published by a Council of Ministers decision.

The Energy Labelling Regulation complements ecodesign requirements with mandatory labelling provisions. The Ecodesign Directive and the Energy Labelling Regulation are considered together when certifying environmentally responsible products.

Ecodesign for Manufacturers

Manufacturers play a vital role in ensuring the safety of products supplied to the extended single market of the European Economic Area (EEA). They are responsible for checking that their products meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. The manufacturer must carry out the conformity assessment, compile the technical file, draw up the EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE mark. Only then may the product be traded and offered for sale in the EEA market.

What Must Manufacturers Do to Affix the CE Mark?

1. Identify the applicable directives and harmonised standards for the product. Product development must take account of the principal product directive together with the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC and Regulation 2017/1369/EU, which replaced 2010/30/EU.
2. Verify that product-specific requirements meet the relevant standards.
3. Determine whether independent conformity assessment by a notified body is mandatory. Where required, the assessment must be carried out by a notified body.
4. Test the products and verify their conformity in accordance with the applicable conformity assessment procedure.
5. Prepare the required technical documentation.
6. Once all conformity requirements have been met, affix the CE mark, prepare the EU declaration of conformity for the relevant products and place them on the market.

These 6 steps may vary because conformity assessment procedures depend on the product type.

For products presenting greater safety risks, such as gas appliances, safety cannot be checked by the manufacturer alone. An independent body, specifically a notified body designated by the national authorities, must perform the safety assessment. The manufacturer may affix the CE mark only after this has been completed. FQC Standard Certification, notified body number 2674, supports manufacturers' compliance with the applicable legislation, product requirements and ecodesign requirements throughout these processes.

ENERGY LABELLING REGULATION

Energy Labelling Regulation (2017/1369/EU), formerly Directive 2010/30/EU

Energy Labelling Regulation 2017/1369/EU replaced the previous Directive 2010/30/EU in July 2017. It introduced several significant changes, including a return to the original A–G labelling scale and registration in a new database, EPREL. In Türkiye, the framework is implemented through the Framework Regulation on Energy Labelling.

The New Energy Labelling Scale

The new labelling regulation reintroduces the original A–G scale for future labels and establishes a common product registration database to support market surveillance.

Rescaling of the previous labels covers a total of 15 product groups, including some of the most energy-intensive household appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines.

European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL)

Since 1 January 2019, suppliers, including manufacturers, importers and authorised representatives, have been required to register appliances that need an energy label in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) before selling them on the European market.

Energy Labelling Directive

The former Energy Labelling Directive 2010/30/EU was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in May 2010. Its extended scope introduced requirements for a broad range of energy-related products in commercial and industrial sectors, including cold stores and vending machines.

Energy labelling requirements already apply to a range of products. In parallel with the adoption of ecodesign regulations, the Commission continues to develop new energy labelling rules and more demanding requirements for efficient products.

FQC Standard Certification provides services relating to energy labelling regulations, ecodesign products and energy labelling requirements. Quality begins with confidence. Contact FQC Standard customer services to set your processes on a prompt and effective course. Contact