The EU Ecodesign Directive establishes a framework under which manufacturers of energy-using products are obliged to reduce the energy consumption and other negative environmental impacts occurring throughout the product life cycle. A revised Directive extends the scope of the existing Directive by covering in principle all energy-related products.

The Directive makes a specific priority of the need to reduce stand-by losses in all energy using products. (Stand-by is when a product is connected to the mains without providing any useful service. A TV switched off with the remote control on stand-by) Products on stand-by represent around 10% of all household electricity consumption.

The ecodesign savings will contribute directly to the EED savings objective (achieving 17% Ecodesign savings on electricity and 10% savings on heat would be a substantial contribution toward fulfilling the EED objective) especially as the Ecodesign regulations process is EU – wide, therefore all member states benefit from its savings.

A good example case is the amount of energy saved when less efficient appliances are replaced with more efficient ones.

See the process and access key documents on a few selected lots related to household appliances below:

• Lot 7: Battery chargers and external power supplies

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/battery_chargers

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Lot 6: Standby and off-mode

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/standby

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Lot 5: Televisions

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/televisions

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Lot 13: Domestic refrigerators and freezers

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/domestic_fridges_and_freezers

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Lot 14: Domestic dishwashers

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/domestic_dishwashers

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Domestic washing machines, Lot 14

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/domestic_washing_machines

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Lot 16: Laundry driers

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/%20%20laundry_driers

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Lot 18a: Simple set top boxes

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/simple_set_top_boxes

• eceee EcoDesign Portal: Lot 19: Domestic lighting; incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent lamps

http://www.eceee.org/Eco_design/products/domestic_lighting

More product groups and their status are available here on the eceee website and are presented in the same order as the Commission’s official number (or ¨lot¨).