Legislation and standards update – Latest news from Europe

21 March, 2019

Ecodesign Directive

For the compressed air industry, the focus remains on Ecodesign; Lot 31, which potentially incorporates components of energy efficiency and labelling directives.

Since the European Commission appointed a policy officer the project has built momentum.

Alongside ‘standard air’ products (Part 1), the measure will likely include ‘oil-free’ and ‘low pressure’ compressor packages (Part 2) within a single item of legislation, but with different requirements for each group. As energy saving potential is relatively low, it is likely that product information requirements will be the primary concern.

Final adoption of the Lot 31 Ecodesign measure is still expected for the beginning of 2020 at the earliest, (with the Lot 30 for Electric Motors expected to be adopted in Summer 2019).

Energy Efficiency Directive

The Energy Union has set headline targets for energy efficiency of 32.5% for 2030 (with a clause included to review and possibly increase the target in 2023). The expected impact of these targets is likely to place increased pressure on industry to develop and supply more energy efficient products.

Renewable Energy Sources Directive

This sets a 1.3% annual increase of the share of RES for heating and cooling during 2021 – 2025. We can expect to see incentives for small installations intended to encourage ‘self-consumption.’

F-Gas phase-down

The phase-down process is ongoing, and the benefits of reclaiming and recycling is being promoted to reduce the impact of increasing costs due to restricted supply. The promotion of lower GWP refrigerants is also being encouraged to increase end-user awareness. A report on the availability of HFCs in the EU is expected December 2020, with a report on the alternatives to HFCs expected December 2022. HFC prices are expected to rise further (R404A prices have already doubled and some manufacturers are expected to stop production from next year).