The first EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling rules for mobile phones and tablets will make electronic products longer-lasting and more repairable. This landmark decision heralds a new era of sustainability for electronic products.
From the bottom of your drawers to the mountains of e-waste pilling up around the world, evidence of the ephemeral lifecycle of our ICT and electronic products is everywhere. ECOS and its partners are fighting for EU legislation and international standards to end this disaster through rules applying to the design of these products, from your smartphone to your printer. We count some successes, but there is a long way to go before the world’s e-waste is reduced.
Phasing out archaic fossil heating systems in favour of cleaner options is a must in Europe’s quest to cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. But only one year on from REPowerEU, European lawmakers risk backpedalling on their commitments to a fossil-free future in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and ecodesign rules for space and water heaters.
Member States and other stakeholders meet today to debate ecodesign rules for ‘stand-alone’ fossil fuel boilers. Raising energy efficiency requirements for heating appliances could effectively phase out fossil fuel operated boilers, since they are significantly less efficient than other solutions, like electric heat pumps. If the EU wants to respect its legal commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and mitigate the current energy crisis, the moment to act is now.
Phase out of ‘stand-alone’ fossil fuel boilers via EU product policy: a chance to make renewable heating the norm, decrease Europe’s energy dependence, and mitigate energy crises. Read our joint letter to national energy and environment ministries, and EU Member State representatives of the Ecodesign Consultation Forum.
2023 is a decisive year for the future of ‘stand-alone’ fossil fuel boilers in Europe. The European Commission and EU Member States have a unique opportunity to phase out sales of these highly polluting appliances using ecodesign rules. The moment to act on domestic heating and secure Europe’s climate neutral future has arrived.
Printers have grown to become an archetype of today’s throwaway culture, in spite of over a decade of EU-endorsed industry commitments to make them more sustainable. If the European Commission is to stand by its promise to curb the built-in obsolescence of our everyday tech, it must fall out of love with manufacturers’ promises.
Decarbonising heating is both necessary and entirely possible. The good news is that the barriers to doing so are not technological — they are political. The legislative tools are already in place; they simply need sufficient strengthening.
A quick visual overview of our report on how ecodesign and energy labelling can decarbonise the heating sector.
A phase-out of gas and oil boilers could bring about 110 million tonnes of annual CO2 savings by 2050, research by Coolproducts experts shows. This is two thirds of the total emissions reduction needed from residential and public buildings to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
ECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Website by