Ecodesign requirements

If you manufacture, supply or import certain energy-related products for sale you must ensure that your products meet the technical design requirements that apply.

The requirements depend on the type of product. Each product category is regulated by a separate European Union implementing regulation. After Brexit the UK will continue to follow the requirements of all existing EU implementing regulations. The regulations can specify:

  • the products covered
  • application dates
  • design requirements including use of raw materials, consumption of resources by the product during its lifetime, information for users and service personnel, weight and volume, ease of disassembly and recycling, generated waste, risk of emissions or spill of substances to air, water and soil, noise, vibrations and the durability of the product
  • measurement standards and methods
  • conformity assessment procedures
  • information requirements.

Manufacturers are required to:

  • assess the environmental aspects and impact of the product
  • design the product in compliance with ecodesign requirements
  • carry out conformity assessment - generally by self-assessment
  • affix the 'CE' mark: From 1 January 2021 you can use the UKCA mark.

SEE the Government guidance on placing manufactured goods on the GB (Scotland England and Wales) market from 1 January 2021

GOV.UK Placing manufactured goods on the GB market, New rules for January 2021

For placing goods on the EU market, placing manufactured goods on the NI market from GB and placing manufactured goods on the NI market from the EU see:

Documentation for products

You must keep supporting documentation relating to a product model you manufacture or import for at least ten years after it was last manufactured. If the enforcement authority asks to see this documentation, you must provide it within ten days.

Supporting documentation includes technical details about the product and declarations of conformity.

Who enforces energy efficient design?

The National Measurement Office has been appointed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as the market surveillance authority for the UK.

Read the detailed guidance from the National Measurement Office (NMO) on the GOV.UK website.

Making Green Claims

The UK government has published guidance for businesses. You should read before making any claims about environmental benefits from your goods or services.

GOV.UK: Green claims code

Further information

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