Commission Regulation (EU) 547/2012 (“the Regulation") sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for different types of rotodynamic water pumps, including when integrated in other products. The Regulation also sets mandatory information requirements including energy efficiency.
The hydraulic efficiency of a pump is the hydraulic power supplied to the fluid (in Watts, calculated as head (pressure) times flow) divided by the mechanical power delivered to the pump shaft (in Watts, calculated as torque times angular speed).
The metrics used in the Regulation is the ‘Minimum Efficiency Index’ (MEI). It is a dimensionless unit that represents the percentage of inefficient pumps that are removed from the market, based on the market survey carried out in the preparatory study in 2008. For example, MEI ≥ 0.40 means that the requirement is set in such a way that 40 % of the models on the market are eliminated because of their low efficiency. These models need to be re-designed or replaced by more efficient ones. The Regulation contains formulae that relate the MEI to the measured hydraulic efficiency.
Scope
Water pumps are defined as ‘the hydraulic part of a device that moves clean water by physical or mechanical action and is of one of the following designs: End suction own bearing (ESOB), End suction close coupled (ESCC), End suction close coupled inline (ESCCi), Vertical multistage (MS-V), Submersible multistage (MSS).
The following table shows some examples of products in scope and out of scope
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Check the complete list in the Regulation.
Ecodesign Requirements
Ecodesign requirements covering both product information and efficiency apply to water pumps placed on the EU market.
Facts & Figures
This graphic shows the estimated sales, stock, energy consumption (primary, electric or fuel), greenhouse gas emissions, consumer expenses and business revenues for years 2010 and 2030. The estimated values inside the graph bars are those from the EIA ECO-scenario, they include the effects of ecodesign and energy labelling measures.
The difference with the business as usual (BAU) scenario without these estimated measures is shown next to the graph bar. These figures indicate the estimated savings obtained due to the measures.
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Product: Water Pumps Measures: Regulation (EU) 547/2012 |
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SALES (x1000 units)  |
STOCK (x1000 units)  |
Electricity (TWh/a)  |
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GHG-EMISSION  |
CONSUMER EXPENSES  |
REVENUES  |
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Expected Savings
In 2020, clean water pumps consumed 180 TWh/a of electricity (input energy to motors driving the pumps), corresponding to 42 Mt CO2eq/a GHG emissions. Due to an increasing stock this would have increased to 201 TWh/a and 21 Mt CO2eq/a in 2030. The ecodesign measures are expected to realise savings of 3.7 TWh/a and 0.4 Mt CO2eq/a in 2030.
Total EU27 Annual Electricity Consumption of Water Pumps for Scenario with and without Measures
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Policy
Ongoing legislative work
Please check the ongoing initiatives on the Have your say portal.
Regulation (EU) 547/2012 of 25 June 2012 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for water pumps Text with EEA relevance.
Disclaimer: please pay attention to possible updates/changes as indicated in the Official Journal (green dot)