Ecodesign/Energy Labelling Review - Computers

Introduction

The European Commission (Directorate-General for Energy), hereafter DG ENER, is carrying out a back-to-back evaluation and impact assessment study for the Review of Regulation (EU) 617/2013 of June 2013 laying down Ecodesign requirements for computers.

DG ENER is supported for this review through a contract with Viegand Maagøe as contract manager and with Fraunhofer ISI as coordinator. The information and views set out in this context are those of the study team and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. 

Review

Policy context

Ecodesign and energy labelling help to deliver the Clean Industrial Deal and Affordable Energy Action Plan. Ecodesign has long supported a circular economy and strengthened the EU single market for energy-related products. Its implementation has significantly reduced consumer energy bills and enhanced the EU’s energy security by lowering primary energy consumption and decreasing reliance on imports. It has also helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change cost-effectively since the energy costs avoided outweigh the investments needed. Existing measures need to be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain relevant, efficient and effective in the light of technological and market developments. 

Objectives

The main aim of this study is to provide environmental, techno-economic analysis and scientific support to the Commission in the policy-making process towards the impact assessment of possible revision of the Regulation EU 617/2013 and energy labelling. The process to achieve this aim must meet specific requirements of the Better Regulation Guidelines of the Commission.

According to the Review Article of the Regulation, key issues to be tackled are the following:

1. In the light of rapid technological development, this review shall consider developments in the Energy Star programme, and opportunities to tighten ecodesign requirements, to significantly reduce or to eliminate the energy allowances, in particular for discrete graphics cards (dGfx), to update definitions/scope, and the potential to address energy consumption of integrated displays;
2. the review shall specifically consider different life-cycle phases, the feasibility of establishing and applying the Ecodesign requirements on other significant environmental aspects such as noise, material use efficiency, including requirements on durability, dismantlability, recyclability, standardised interfaces for rechargers, as well as information requirements on the content of certain Critical Raw Materials and minimum number of loading cycles and battery replacement issues.

Methodology

The stakeholders will be consulted through different activities pursuant to the Better Regulation Guidelines. The stakeholder consultation cosists of targeted consultations, through which relevant information and stakeholder views will be collected.

A targeted consultation with stakeholders is being conducted. This consultation has to objective of gathering expert inputs for the impact assessment, along with relevant evidence and information

Timeline

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Documents

All public documents for the review will be made available in CIRCABC. If you experience any difficulty downloading or opening a file, please contact motorsisi [dot] fraunhofer [dot] de (.................)

Registration for meetings and consultation surveys

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Meetings and consultation surveys, once scheduled, will be shared in CIRCABC and announced via email to registered stakeholders. 

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