Ecodesign of Energy-Using Products: the UK Market vs the Northern Ireland Market

Ecodesign of energy-using products: the UK market versus the Northern Ireland market is also published on Product Compliance Manager on July 18, 2022

What is it about?

There are some differences in the rules for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) on the one hand and Northern Ireland on the other. These have existed since 1 January 2021. The latest update is a publication dated 14 July 2022. Below is a summary of the differences. 

Overview

Many energy-related products have to comply with specific laws regarding their energy consumption. This is mainly to reduce the impact on the environment through increased efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

All products that fall within the scope must:

  • have supporting technical documentation (often called a technical file) to show that they comply with the regulations
  • Have a declaration of conformity 
  • have the appropriate conformity markings for the UK and/or NI markets, as applicable.

In Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010 (as amended) is the underlying legislation. However, there are differences in the way the Directive is applied in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

What is covered by the regulations?

The Regulations cover the following energy-related products:

  • air conditioners and comfort fans
  • Air heating and cooling
  • Circulation pumps
  • computers
  • dishwashers
  • domestic ovens
  • electric motors
  • electronic monitors
  • external power supplies
  • fans
  • lighting products
  • refrigerated storage cabinets
  • cooling appliances
  • servers
  • set-top boxes
  • Solid fuel boilers
  • space heaters
  • stand-by and off mode
  • transformers (guidelines for the reduction of regulations on power transformers)
  • tumble driers
  • hoovers
  • ventilation
  • Washing machines and washer-dryers
  • boilers and water tanks
  • water pumps
  • welding equipment

(Products within the scope may also be subject to the Energy Information Regulations).

How to comply

A Declaration of Conformity must be completed, supported by technical documentation to demonstrate conformity. All documentation must be kept available for inspection for a period of at least 10 years from the date the product was last manufactured. It must also be made available to OPSS within 10 working days upon request. OPSS is explained further in this article.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers must also declare conformity with all relevant legislation by affixing

  • the UKCA mark, in the case of a product placed on the market in GB; and/or
  • the CE mark, in the case of a product placed on the market in NI

Some products will also be subject to regulations requiring mandatory third party conformity assessment.

Ecodesign of energy-using products: the UK market versus the Northern Ireland market
Ecodesign of energy-using products: the UK market versus the Northern Ireland market | Photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash

Importers

Importers must:

  • confirm that manufacturers have complied with the regulations for a product they place on the market in GB and/or NI
  • retain a copy of the Declaration of Conformity
  • ensure that the technical documentation is available to OPSS on request for 10 years from the date on which the last product was placed on the market

If an importer places a product on the GB or NI market under his own name or trademark, he must comply with all the manufacturer’s obligations.

Distributors

From 1 January 2021 some distributors will become importers and should know their obligations if their status has changed. You become an importer if:

If a company changes a product in a way that may affect the conformity of that product, it must comply with all the manufacturer’s obligations.

The role of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS)

The OPSS is the designated market surveillance authority for the Ecodesign Regulations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Where to find more information for Great Britain?

Where to find more information for Northern Ireland?

Other, related articles that may be of your interest:

Ecodesign of energy-using products: the UK market versus the Northern Ireland market, the latest update is from July 18, 2022