Speeding up adopting ecodesign and energy labelling measures – analysis, challenges and solutions

Panel: 6. Appliances, product policy and ICT

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Author:
Hans-Paul Siderius, Netherlands Enterprise Agency, The Netherlands

Abstract

Ecodesign and energy labeling measures are a cornerstone of EU energy efficiency policy. In principle the process to prepare and adopt these measures is straightforward. Then, why does it take so long to get measures adopted and why is there such a large variation in process time? Delays in the adoption of measures result in less savings. Uncertainty in the process and in the time measures will be adopted makes it more difficult for industry and Member States to participate in the process and to prepare for implementation.

This paper analyses each of the steps of the preparation and adoption process of ecodesign and energy labeling measures in force and in preparation. The duration of the process has increased from 34 months for the first measure published in 2008 to an average of 76 months for the three measures published in 2012. Apart from constraints in staffing at the European Commission, Member States and stakeholders, total process time is mainly challenged by the technical complexity and the contentiousness, including political sensitivity, of the products to be regulated. Distinguishing between low and high complexity and contentiousness, four typical processes can be identified. For each of these processes a planning is suggested that improves the policy process and reduces total process time if possible. Comparison with the US DOE rulemaking process for appliance standards shows that backlog is not a typical EU problem. Using the results from this paper and DOE analysis, as a benchmark, a 3 year process from the start of the study phase to the final publication is suggested.