Abstract
Resource efficiency is currently high on the European political agenda and the Ecodesign Directive has been identified as one of the instruments, which could help drive this agenda. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate if and how requirements for resource efficiency are currently implemented in the Ecodesign Directive? And what made it possible to include these types of requirements?
A review of the requirements in the adopted implementing measures and voluntary agreements under the Ecodesign Directive showed that requirements targeting resource efficiency were included. However, these requirements were mainly information requirements. Sixteen of the implementing measures and voluntary agreements included information requirements targeting resource efficiency. Only five product groups included specific requirements targeting resource efficiency.
Two detailed studies were made of the implementing measure covering vacuum cleaners and the voluntary agreement covering imaging equipment, since they both included resource efficiency requirements. The studies revealed that in both cases resource efficiency was regarded as a significant impact category. However, in both cases resource efficiency was considered secondary to energy efficiency, and it should be targeted at a later stage. Yet, in both cases resource efficiency requirements ended up in the final requirements. Hence, the identification of resource efficiency as a significant was not the sole reason for the uptake of the resource efficiency requirements. Other aspects were at play. Interviews with stakeholders indicated that pressure from stakeholders was a crucial aspect. In both cases, it was possible to pressure the industry by different means, which made them accept resource efficiency requirements. Furthermore, the fact that resource efficiency was on the political agenda also played a significant role. Finally, the existence of measurement and test standards and eco-labelling schemes were important for implementing the resource efficiency requirements.
A review of the requirements in the adopted implementing measures and voluntary agreements under the Ecodesign Directive showed that requirements targeting resource efficiency were included. However, these requirements were mainly information requirements. Sixteen of the implementing measures and voluntary agreements included information requirements targeting resource efficiency. Only five product groups included specific requirements targeting resource efficiency.
Two detailed studies were made of the implementing measure covering vacuum cleaners and the voluntary agreement covering imaging equipment, since they both included resource efficiency requirements. The studies revealed that in both cases resource efficiency was regarded as a significant impact category. However, in both cases resource efficiency was considered secondary to energy efficiency, and it should be targeted at a later stage. Yet, in both cases resource efficiency requirements ended up in the final requirements. Hence, the identification of resource efficiency as a significant was not the sole reason for the uptake of the resource efficiency requirements. Other aspects were at play. Interviews with stakeholders indicated that pressure from stakeholders was a crucial aspect. In both cases, it was possible to pressure the industry by different means, which made them accept resource efficiency requirements. Furthermore, the fact that resource efficiency was on the political agenda also played a significant role. Finally, the existence of measurement and test standards and eco-labelling schemes were important for implementing the resource efficiency requirements.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 17th European Roundtable on Sustinable Consumption and Production : The Europe We Want |
Publication date | 14 Oct 2014 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-961-93738-1-1 |
Publication status | Published - 14 Oct 2014 |
Event | 17th European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production: The Europe We Want - Portoroz, Slovenia Duration: 14 Oct 2014 → 16 Oct 2014 Conference number: 17th https://conferences.matheo.si/event/0/page/31 |
Conference
Conference | 17th European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production |
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Number | 17th |
Country/Territory | Slovenia |
City | Portoroz |
Period | 14/10/2014 → 16/10/2014 |
Internet address |