Ecodesign

Setting standards to drive energy efficiency

The role of ecodesign

The Ecodesign Directive currently covers more than 30 energy-related product groups and sets a range of requirements to make them more sustainable over their lifecycle It includes minimum requirements for energy efficiency, and rules relating to repairability. This should encourage consumers to be more responsible about their energy use. In turn, less energy efficient products are forced off the market.

Part of the CE mark

For products that are covered by Ecodesign, meeting the requirements of the Directive forms part of the conformity assessment process which culminates in the CE mark being affixed.

Check that your product has passed the ecodesign by checking for the CE mark.

How ecodesign benefits consumers

• Improves product information for consumers
• Allows for better informed purchase decisions - including comparisons of performance across products (e.g. drying efficiency)
• Increases the need for products to be useful during operation
• Energy savings result in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Water use savings from efficient washing machines and dishwashers
• Noise reduction in products such as dishwashers
• Higher equality of how functions such as drying efficiency and noise reduction are performed

Modernising and repairing products

Through ecodesign, manufacturers of certain household appliances are required to ensure that spare parts are available to professional repairers for at least ten years after the product line has finished. They are also required to provide other useful information to professional repairers to facilitate the repair of appliances. Appliances currently covered include:

• Refrigerating appliances (fridge-freezers, etc)
• Washing machines and washer dryers
• Dishwashers

If you need spare parts, you can find information on authorised repair services and spare parts on the product manufacturer's website. If your appliance breaks down, make sure you consider getting it repaired before rushing out to buy a new appliance.

Guidance on specific product updates

Local space heaters

The European Commission has officially adopted new EU Ecodesign rules for local space heaters. These comprehensive measures are designed to significantly reduce energy consumption and make it easier to repair your appliances. This applies to a wide range of standard household heaters, including those powered by electricity (such as portable electric fan heaters, oil-filled radiators, and convection heaters), gas (like gas radiant heaters), or liquid fuels (like paraffin heaters). These updated rules replace the existing Ecodesign measures and follow thorough consultation and scrutiny by the European Commission.

What this means for your home:

• Real savings on energy: These new regulations are projected to deliver substantial energy savings and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Crucially, this translates into meaningful cost savings for you, the consumer.
• Easier to repair: A key focus of these rules is to promote a circular economy. Manufacturers will now be required to provide both spare parts and necessary repair information for local space heaters, making it simpler to fix your appliances rather than replacing them entirely.
• More efficient models: The scope of Ecodesign has been expanded to encompass a wider range of appliances. New regulations also introduce maximum energy consumption levels for low-power modes, ensuring your heaters are more efficient even when not running at full capacity.

Ultimately, these new rules aim to ensure that the local space heaters available on the market are more environmentally friendly, cost-effective to operate, and built to last longer due to improved reparability. More information about the new Regulation on the EU website: Regulation - 2024/1103 - EN - EUR-Lex

Stoves

From January 1, 2022, EU regulations mandate that stoves meet specific standards for efficiency and environmental impact.

What is an Ecodesign compliant stove?

Ecodesign compliant stoves are designed to be more efficient, emitting less pollution and contributing less to air pollution. It's a type of wood only or multi-fuel stove that meets specific European Union regulations designed to reduce environmental impact and optimise energy use compared to older stoves or open fires.

5 simple steps for purchasing an ecodesign compliant stove

1. Ecodesign compliance
2. Importance of using the right fuel
3. Check for CE marking
4. Verify the product information
5. Check for an instruction manual

For more information on ecodesign compliant stoves, please download our consumer leaflet.

SEAI's ecodesign role

Most products covered by the regulations and sold on the EU market comply with the regulations. However, a small but significant number do not comply. Our role encompasses two key areas:

Market surveillance

SEAI's responsibility in that regard is to organise market surveillance activities that seek to ensure that non-compliant products are identified, checked and removed from the market or brought into compliance.

Advice and signposting

SEAI also assists market operators who are bringing a product onto the market or putting it into service to comply with the Regulations through providing advice and signposting to other sources of advice.

Learn about energy efficient products in the EU