Manufactures and importers of industrial fans, power transformers, electrical motors, and welding equipment must follow EU ecodesign regulations. Get detailed guidance and ensure compliance.

The European Union (EU) requirements for ecodesign pave the way for more energy efficient products to enter the market. These requirements have been established based on the EU Ecodesign Directive and product specific regulations.

Product category requirements

EU ecodesign requirements are mandatory for the following categories of products:

  • industrial fans
  • power transformers
  • electrical motors
  • welding equipment

Find more information about regulations for each product category below.

Industrial Fans

Ecodesign requirements

Mandatory Ecodesign requirements apply to all industrial fans sold within the EU. These guidelines dictate minimum efficiency levels and include stipulations for product labelling and information disclosure.

Energy savings

The transition to more efficient industrial fans has the potential to save Europe 28 TWh of energy and prevent 11 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually by 2020. The actual efficiency of a fan varies, depending on its power requirement—high power fans are, on average, more efficient than low-power fans. By replacing a less efficient model with a more efficient one, operational costs could be reduced by around 20% over a 15-year lifespan.

Note: Energy labelling is not required for industrial fans.

Detailed guidance can be found by clicking the links below:

Power Transformers

Ecodesign requirements

Ecodesign regulations set minimum energy efficiency levels for transformers with a minimum power rating of 1 kVA that are used in 50 Hz electricity networks or industrial applications. Regulation (EU) No 548/2014 was amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/1783, introducing further specifications.

Energy savings

By complying with these Ecodesign regulations, it's estimated that 16 TWh of energy can be saved per year after 2020. This translates into 3.7 million fewer tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.​

 

Note: Energy Labelling is not required for power transformers.

Detailed guidance can be found by clicking the links below:

Electric Motors and Variable Speed Drives

Ecodesign requirements

Ecodesign regulations mandate certain minimum efficiency levels for electric motors and variable speed drives sold in the EU. The Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 came into application as of 1 July 2021, replacing the previous Regulation (EC) No 640/2009.

Energy savings

The adoption of more efficient motors is expected to yield 110 TWh of annual energy savings in the EU by 2030. This equates to a reduction of approximately 40 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year and savings of around €20 billion on the annual energy bill for EU households and industries

Note: Energy Labelling is not required for electric motors and variable speed drives.

Detailed guidance can be found by clicking the links below:

Welding equipment

Ecodesign Requirements

Ecodesign rules extend to welding equipment, covering efficiency limits for the power supply and circular economy factors like the availability of spare parts. These requirements will be mandatory as of January 2023.

Note: Energy Labelling is not required for welding equipment.

Detailed guidance can be found by clicking the links below:

Recent updates

Electric motors and variable speed drives

The EU ecodesign requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives (VSDs) were updated in 2019 and entered into force in 2021. The new regulation covers a wider range of motors and sets stricter efficiency requirements.

Key changes include:

  • three-phase motors with a rated output between 0.75kW and 1000kW must now meet the IE3 efficiency level, and motors between 75kW and 200kW must meet the IE4 level.
  • all VSDs in scope must now reach the IE2 efficiency level.

The new regulation is expected to save around 110 TWh of energy per year by 2030, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of the Netherlands. This will also reduce CO2 emissions by 40 million tonnes per year and save EU households and businesses around €20 billion per year.

International cooperation

The European Union is working with other countries to promote the uptake of efficient electric motors and variable speed drives (VSDs) around the world. The EU is a member of the Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliances Deployment (SEAD) Initiative, which aims to double the efficiency of appliances sold globally by 2030. The EU is also a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) 4E Electric Motors Systems Annex, which provides guidance and tools to help countries exploit the energy performance of new and existing motor systems.

Market surveillance campaign reports

As the MSA, we regularly conduct campaigns on product categories available on the Irish market. Results from campaigns on electric motors and variable speed drives can be found in the summary reports below:

 

Usuful links and publications

EPREL platform verification process updates

Have questions?

If you have any questions about energy labelling and ecodesign in Ireland, our team is here to help. Contact a member of the MSA to learn more about EU requirements.

Contact us

Call: 01 8082100

Email: info@seai.ie