THE ENERGY-RELATED PRODUCTS (ErP) DIRECTIVE AND THE ROLE OF STANDARDISATION IN DRIVING INNOVATION

Övrig information: Policy brief prepared for the Workshop ”Ecodesign and resource efficiency” in Copenhagen 26 November 2010. Abstract: This briefing document aims to provide background to the discussion on role of standardisation in the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive and its impact on product innovation. It provides a brief overview of the Directive’s intent, the process of developing implementing measures to date, and the general outcome of the essential requirements found in the Regulations supporting the Directive. An introduction to the European Standardisation System (ESS), provides the context to the specific application of harmonized standards with respect to the Directive and its Implementing Measures. The current application of European and other standards in the ErP framework is presented, followed by a general discussion on the suitability of standardisation to drive environmental innovation as implemented to date, and need for further standard development to support the setting of implementing measures.