Ecological Product Design

Ecodesign refers to the integration of environmental aspects into the design of a product. The aim is to improve the product’s environmental performance in its life cycle. Products that comply with ecodesign requirements bear the CE marking and are made available on the European market, while those that do not meet the requirements cannot be sold in the EU.

Ecodesign covers a broad range of products/technologies in the domestic and industrial sectors (28 product categories, such as household appliances, heating, air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, hot water and ventilation equipment, computers, transformers, motors, water pumps, fans). Products with the highest energy saving potential and which account for more than 50 % of the energy consumption of the industry and services sector are included.

The relevant European Directive 2009/125/EC 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products and the Regulations (implementing measures) adopted pursuant thereto lay down minimum ecodesign requirements that energy-related products must meet before they are placed on the market or put into operation. This will gradually lead to the removal from the market of less efficient products, which will in turn contribute significantly to the achievement of the European energy efficiency target. The harmonisation law that transposes the European Directive 2009/125/EC into Cypriot legal order is ‘Establishment of Ecodesign Requirements for Energy-related Products Law, 2011(17(I)/2011)’.

An important change to ecodesign rules is the inclusion of data to enhance recycling and repairability of devices. The new Regulations adopted include aspects of the circular economy such as requirements for spare parts availability and the provision of information to professional technicians for repair and maintenance of equipment.

Relevant legislation has been adopted for the purposes of harmonisation with Directive 2009/125/EC. The purpose of the Law is to lay down requirements that energy-related products must meet in order for them to be placed on the market.

Obligations of the Manufacturer

Before a product covered by implementing measures is placed on the market and/or put into service:

a CE declaration of conformity must be issued whereby the manufacturer declares that the product complies with all the relevant provisions of the Directive and related Regulations;

a CE marking must be affixed to the product;

the technical documentation substantiating conformity must be prepared and made available to the competent authority.

Obligations of the Importer

Where the manufacturer is not based within the European Community and there is no authorised representative, the importer has the obligation to ensure that the product it places on the market or puts into operation complies with the Law and the relevant Regulations, and to make the declaration of conformity and technical documentation available.

CE conformity marking and declaration of conformity

Energy-related products covered by implementing measures (Regulations in force) may be placed on the market or put into operation only if they comply with the provisions of the Law and the requirements of the relevant Regulations and if they bear the CE marking.

Member States shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that products covered by implementing measures (Regulations) may be placed on the market and/or put into operation only if they comply with these measures and bear the CE marking.

Before a product that is covered by implementing measures is placed on the market and/or put into operation, the CE marking shall be affixed to the product and a CE declaration of conformity shall be issued, whereby the manufacturer or its authorised representative ensures and declares that the product has complied with all the relevant provisions of the applicable implementing measure (Regulation).

CE MARKING

The CE marking must be at least 5 mm high. If the CE marking is reduced or enlarged, the proportions given in the above graduated drawing must be respected.

The CE marking must be affixed to the product. If the CE marking is reduced or enlarged, the proportions given in the figure above must be respected.

The conformity marking shall be affixed to the product by the manufacturer or its authorised representative.

Affixing markings to the product which are likely to mislead users as to the meaning or form of the CE marking is prohibited.

Safeguard clause

The Energy Agency, as the competent authority, may, after informing the manufacturer or its authorised representative or the importer, depending on the case, restrict or prohibit placing products on the market and putting them into operation, or may withdraw from the market products that bear the required CE conformity marking and which are being used in accordance with their intended purpose but which have not complied with all the relevant provisions of Law 17(I)/2011 on ecodesign and the relevant Regulations. Invoking the safeguard clause may provide for the suspension of the placing of the product on the market for a period to be determined by the competent authority or the withdrawal of the product from the market.