Product category:
Legislation: REACH, WEEE, RoHS, MCERTS News
News Release from: SGS | Subject: EuP
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 June 2007
Energy Using Products EuP Directive is
on the way
The European Union Energy Using Products (EuP) Directive came into force in July 2005 with Member States required to transpose it into their national laws by 11th August 2007
This Directive, otherwise known as the "Framework Directive for the setting of Eco-design requirements for Energy Using Products" is one of a number of laws aimed at reducing the environmental impact of products in the European Union It creates a framework for the integration of various environmental aspects, such as: energy efficiency, hazardous substances, water consumption, noise emissions into the design of energy using products
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 7 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Product and company certification from SGS
SGS Electrical and Electronics wants to offer you Safety and EMC Certifications without any annual fee until the end of 2009
Hightech solar cells for the World market
Solar modules are constantly getting larger and more productive, while solar cells are becoming thinner and more efficient
Companies will now have to include energy budgets into their product design.
The EU has defined 14 categories of products that have a significant environmental impact or an annual import volume exceeding 200,000 units per year.
These products must comply with the directive by the deadline otherwise they will not be allowed on the market.
Further reading
The first six months of China ROHS
The Chinese version of RoHS is being implemented in two stages, and is different to the EU RoHS: the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry has published the three main standards, as described here
China RoHS and WEEE Conference
SGS Germany and C+E Recycling Portal and Co will organize the first China RoHS and WEEE Conference in Germany on 27th September 2007
The responsibility for conforming to the Directive lies with those who place the product on the EU market for the first time, whether it be the manufacturer, authorised representative or the importer.
Once placed on the market in one country, the product may be freely circulated within the EU without further restriction by the legislation.
EuP - more responsible use of resources.
The EuP Directive will significantly affect product development activities.
It addresses the environmental impact of the product by examining the design aspects that can create significant adverse impacts across the entire life cycle of the product.
These include the following life-cycle phases: - raw material selection and manufacturing - packaging, transport and distribution - installation/maintenance - usage phase - end of life (end of its first use, recycling, reuse, until final disposal).
For each of these phases, the following environmental aspects need to be assessed: - consumption of materials, energy, water - emissions to air, water or soil - anticipated pollution through noise, vibration, radiation, electromagnetic fields - expected generation of waste material - possibilities for reuse, recycling and material recovery.
Although the use of energy is one of the main concerns it should be noted that the Directive addresses all environmental aspects of the product.
Manufacturers must create an environmental profile of their product against the requirements of the legislation.
They must then adapt their design to reduce the product environmental impact according to the identified parameters and store the results.
Conformance with EuP.
The conformity assessment procedures will be specified within the implementing measures of the Directive.
Manufacturers can choose to do the conformity assessment either by ecological product profiles or within a management system like ISO 14001 or EMAS.
Implementing measures should be in place within the next two years which means that companies shouldn't wait too long before beginning the process of examining their design processes and supply chains. Request a free brochure from SGS ...
• SGS: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
