Addressing resource efficiency through the Ecodesign Directive: a review of opportunities and barriers
Author
Summary, in English
The European Union has initiated a number of initiatives to improve
resource efficiency in Europe. The Ecodesign Directive is one of the
policy instruments that could aid the transition towards a more
resource efficient economy. So far, the Directive has mainly been
applied to set requirements related to energy efficiency, but there is
potential for setting legal standards that increase product durability
and promote the future re-use and recycling of components
and materials. This paper examines the potential benefits and
disadvantages in applying the Directive for this purpose, and
analyzes the potential to apply certain types of legal standards.
There is a need for continuous development of indicators and
methods in order to allow for a broader range of legal standards
in the future. The study provides some short and long term
recommendations on the way forward.
resource efficiency in Europe. The Ecodesign Directive is one of the
policy instruments that could aid the transition towards a more
resource efficient economy. So far, the Directive has mainly been
applied to set requirements related to energy efficiency, but there is
potential for setting legal standards that increase product durability
and promote the future re-use and recycling of components
and materials. This paper examines the potential benefits and
disadvantages in applying the Directive for this purpose, and
analyzes the potential to apply certain types of legal standards.
There is a need for continuous development of indicators and
methods in order to allow for a broader range of legal standards
in the future. The study provides some short and long term
recommendations on the way forward.
Publishing year
2014
Language
English
Publication/Series
TemaNord
Links
Document type
Report
Publisher
Nordic Council of Ministers
Topic
- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Keywords
- Ecodesign
- Ecodesign directive
- resource efficiency
- resource policy
- design for recycling
Status
Published
Report number
2014:511
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISBN: 978-92-893-2720-6