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Product Bureau

Washing Machines and Washer Dryers

The project has started in 2014 and completion is expected by the end of 2016.

The overall process of preparation, implementation and follow-up of ecodesign measures and energy/resources labelling has three main phases:

  • Phase 1: Preparatory Phase, which develops the background data analysis to a stage where policy makers are enabled to propose a mix of policy instruments and technical requirements for the product group in question.
  • Phase 2: Implementation Phase, which deals with the implementation of the chosen policy instruments for the product group and the development of technical requirements.
  • Phase 3: Standardisation Phase, which addresses the standardisation procedures following the implementation phase.

Phase 1 essentially implies the compilation of data for a preparatory study, which summarises environmental, economic and technical information of the product group. The study addresses the following tasks, in accordance with the Methodology for the Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP) developed by the European Commission:

  • Task 1 – Scope
  • Task 2 – Markets
  • Task 3 – Users
  • Task 4 – Technologies
  • Task 5 – Environment and Economics
  • Task 6 – Design options
  • Task 7 – Scenarios

Stakeholder involvement is a crucial part of this study, for data collection and joint analysis. Stakeholder contact is organised through a structured technical working group process. Two technical working group meetings are foreseen during 2015/2016.

1st technical working group meeting:

- 24 June 2015, in Seville.

2nd technical working group meeting:

- 18 November 2015, in Brussels.

These meetings will be held back-to back with the meetings on the revision of the ecodesign and energy label of dishwashers (to be held 23 June 2015, and 17 November 2015).

Based on the outcome of the preparatory study, revised ecodesign and energy/resource label requirements will be proposed and discussed with Member States in the ecodesign Consultation Forum meeting. Phase 2 involves the preparation of working documents for this meeting, typically including:

  • draft ecodesign requirements and benchmarks
  • draft energy/resources label requirements
  • draft transitional methods (if applicable)
  • draft explanatory notes (based on the preparatory study, and describing how the information from the preparatory study leads to the three elements above).

Finally, Phase 2 includes also the preparation of an Impact Assessment of the proposals.

Phase 3 on standardisation is not part of the JRC Directorate B support activity.

Registered stakeholders will be informed about the publication of draft reports, the availability of questionnaires and upcoming meetings. More info can be found. here

 

Meetings

Seville