Legal briefing – self-regulation measures under the Ecodesign Directive

The briefing describes legal aspects of industry self-regulations (volunatary agreements) in the context of the Ecodesign Directive. The Ecodesign Directive, which is a framework directive, requires the adoption of energy-related product implementing measures (adopted under a comitology procedure) in order to be fully implemented. As an alternative to an implementing measure, it is also possible for the Commission to admit industry self-regulatory initiative. These industry self-regulations are unilateral commitments by industry and do not have legally binding character at EU level. Neither Member States nor manufacturers that are not parties to the agreement are bound by it.