Implementation of the Ecodesign, Energy labelling and Tyre labelling policy

It is expected that the specific project awarded in the framework of this call will have a substantial support to policy development and legislative implementation in particular in terms of:

• supporting the effective implementation of ecodesign and energy labelling legislation;
• improving consideration of products’ average real-life usage in related legislation;
• increasing transparency and promoting the consideration of civil society interests in the related processes;
• exchanging and building on best practices between relevant actors

Minimum requirements for applicants:

• The applicants shall be a single NGO or a consortia of NGOs, covering through their membership at least 2/3 of the EU Member States, able to ensure representation in the framework of the relevant meetings, at different stages of the legislative process.
• Applicants shall have an expert understanding of the ecodesign and energy labelling regulations, and of standardisation activities in the field of energy efficiency. Applicants should also have a good understanding of the wider sustainability of products framework, related upcoming initiatives at EU level and possible novelties introduced by the Fit for 55 package legislative revisions on energy.

Expected project duration:

36 months

The project aims to provide support to environmental and consumer NGOs for their representation in the preparatory process for ecodesign and energy labelling legislation. The tasks to be undertaken under this grant agreement are focused on two areas:

1) Identifying, elaborating and channelling the contribution of consumer and environmental NGOs to the preparatory work for implementing measures (including voluntary agreements) and their reviews under the Ecodesign Directive and the Energy Labelling framework Regulation (in particular during the preparatory studies' consultation and in the Consultation Forum that will examine the draft implementing measures emerging from the studies). This includes presence in relevant stakeholder meetings, in the Consultation Forum and in other related contexts, and providing the coordinated positions from consumer and environmental organisations at those meetings. The Tyre Labelling Regulation shall also be covered by the project.

2) Ensuring tailored communication to citizens, consumer and environmental organisations of the impacts and benefits of product-specific ecodesign and energy labelling implementing measures, and providing advice to the European Commission as regards its communication activities in this policy area. The deliverables shall include regular progress reports to the Commission concerning their communication process to local, regional and national consumer and environmental organisations.

The objective of the action is to ensure that the views of European consumer organisations and environmental NGOs are well represented in the preparatory process leading to implementing measures and their reviews under the ecodesign and energy labelling legislation, including the assessment of voluntary agreements, both in the study phase, in the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Consultation Forum and if appropriate thereafter. In particular, this will be achieved by participating and contributing to the legislative processes, ensuring transparency, consideration of the interests of civil society, understanding and challenging other stakeholders’ interests. Representativeness of environmental and consumer organisations is fundamental in ensuring that ecodesign and energy labelling regulations respond to end users’ interests, including average real-life usage of energy-related products.