The existing directive

The EU's current ecodesign directive sets minimum energy efficiency standards for products such as boilers, computers and household applicants. The aim is to reduce their impact on the environment with the added benefit of saving consumers money. It is estimated that by 2020 the ecodesign policy can save European consumers €490 a year on their energy bills.

However, there is plenty of scope for further improvements. This is why MEPs are now looking at ways to update the directive to include other requirements.

What Parliament is calling for

The report adopted by MEPs on 31 May calls on the European Commission to go beyond energy efficiency and also consider other aspects, such how long a product lasts, how easy it is to take part, repair and recycle. Setting requirements for these things would help to make products last longer and reducing their impact on the environment even further.

It also fits in with the shift to a more sustainable economic model known as the circular economy, in which materials and products are reused, repaired and recycled for as long as possible.

The report also calls for the directive to apply to more products. For example, MEPs believe the rules should apply to mobile phones as on average consumers buy a new one every two years. Including phones in the directive would not only help to improve their energy efficiency, but also ensure that the rare metals in them are recycled, that they are better designed and that the battery can be easily removed and replaced.