Eco-design explained
Introduction to Eco-design
Eco-design is a broad concept, that is used in a number fields. In terms of waste legislation, eco-design principles are increasingly built into policy frameworks to encourage energy efficiency and decreased resource consumption. This may in turn eliminate the worst performing products on the market and support innovation through market competition.
This can be seen in the UK by the ‘right-to-repair’ rules that came into force in 2021, stipulating that that manufacturers of electronic products must make spare parts readily available, alongside increased energy efficiency standards.
Eco-design is linked to eco-modulated fees whereby the more sustainable a product is deemed, the less the producer will pay under an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. Please see our Modulated fees for packaging guide for more information.
Below are some examples of regulatory eco-design measures for packaging, WEEE and batteries.
Packaging
Much of the existing legislation surrounding packaging is concerned with minimum standards.
For instance, the UK’s Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations outlines basic fit for purpose, safety, and disposal obligations. However, emerging regulatory trends show that eco-design will necessarily have to be incorporated into manufacture. Australia, for example, has mandated that all packaging must be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Packaging can be made more sustainable by a range of activities such as material minimisation, designing for re-use or designing for recyclability.
Modulated fees for packaging are currently being developed for the packaging EPR regime, which will be operational by 2023.
WEEE
An example of this is the EU’s Eco-design Framework Directive. The directive covers a cohort of electronic goods and broadly aims to ensure manufacturers of energy-related products improve energy performance.
