Ecodesign of products

The aim of ecological designing, i.e ecodesign, is to ensure that consumers have access to products with high energy efficiency performance but low environmental impact. The of ecodesign requirements ensure that environmental aspects and life-cycle thinking are taken into account in product design.

The ecodesign directive establishes a framework for the setting eco-design requirements for energy-related products. The directive sets ecodesing requirements for selecting product groups. 

Ecodesign regulations set requirements that improve the energy efficiency of products or reduce their other environmental impacts (e.g. material efficiency, circular economy, sustainability, repairability, use of recycled materials).  If a product does not meet the applicable ecodesign requirements, it cannot be placed on the market or put into service in the EU.

Specific requirements have been set for numerous product groups from washing machines to electric motors. More information on the regulated product groups is available on the ekosuunnittelu.info website (in Finnish).

New EU Ecodesign Regulation

The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) entered into force on 18 July 2024. The Regulation has direct effect in all Member States and it will gradually replace the Ecodesign Directive. This means that the Directive and the legislation based on it will remain in force for some time alongside the new Regulation. Like the Directive, the Regulation is a piece of framework regulation. Delegated legal instruments of the Commission provide more specific requirements on products or product groups. Larger scale changes will take place in the longer term.

Further information: pauliina.kanerva(at)gov.fi and miia.merisalo(at)gov.fi