Energy-related products account for a large proportion of the energy use and have a number of other significant environmental impacts. Many of these products have an important potential for being improved in order to reduce environmental impacts and contribute to energy savings.

The reduction of energy consumption is mainly regulated by two framework Directives: the Ecodesign Directive (Directive 2009/125/EC) and the Energy Labelling Directive (Directive 2010/30/EU). They are the recasts of the previously existing directives 2005/32/EC and 92/75/EEC respectively.

Both 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EC are framework directives establishing general rules while more detailed requirements are established separately for particular products through Commission regulations or Commission directives.

Taking into account that only in very rare cases can a Member State establish more stringent standards than adopted by the EU for particular energy related products, it is extremely important that the EU standards are ambitious and provide effective energy savings.

Within its advocacy work for strong ecodesign and energy labelling requirements, ClientEarth prepared and distributed to all interested stakeholders legal briefings on the following subjects: