Report: EU energy efficiency requirements for products generate financial and energy savings
A newly updated report shows how the EU's Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for products are saving consumers both energy and money. It tracks the progress of an ongoing study of the impact of these requirements.
Ecodesign legislation, which sets minimum energy efficiency requirements, applies to many everyday products sold in the EU, such as dishwashers, fridges and heaters. Some types of product must also display energy labels which show how efficient they are.
The report presents the energy savings expected by 2020 and 2030 as a result of European consumers switching to energy efficient products, as well as the resultant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
- By 2020, use of energy efficiency labels and Ecodesign requirements is projected to lead to energy savings of around 165 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) in the EU, roughly equivalent to the annual primary energy consumption of Italy. In relative terms, this represents a potential energy saving of approximately 9% of the EU's total energy consumption and a potential 7% reduction in carbon emissions
- In 2030, this saving is projected to grow to 15% of the EU's total energy consumption and 11% of its total carbon emissions.
The report also provides estimates of the potential savings of natural resources such as drinking water and printer paper as a result of energy labelling and Ecodesign, and the amount of money this can save consumers.
Ecodesign impact accounting report
Ecodesign and energy efficient products
Source: © European Union, 1995-2017