Entrepreneurs prepare for drafting of EU's Ecodesign Regulation focusing on sustainability - environment

     The European Union (EU) is in the process of drafting the Ecodesign Regulation. The European Commission is considering revising the Ecodesign Directives into a Union-wide law, which will have direct effect on all member states, unlike the Ecodesign Directives which each member state must translate into their own national laws to comply or align with the Ecodesign Directives. The regulation will be applicable to a group of energy-using products, with a particular focus on energy efficiency.

     The Ecodesign Regulation draft will encompass the same energy-using product groups as well as new product groups according to the plan, such as mobile phones and tablets, among other product groups. It will also adjust measures for product and environmental sustainability, including energy labeling conditions.

     The Ecodesign Regulation is in the process of drafting and open for initial feedback on preliminary proposals for product groups and general measures not covered under the original Ecodesign Directives. The aim is to prioritize important aspects of the draft, such as:

• Identifying products and additional measures including:
  • The final 12 products, such as textiles and footwear, furniture, ceramics, rubber, laundry detergent, beds and mattresses, lubricating oil, paint and varnishes, cosmetic products, toys, fishing rods and tools, and absorbent hygiene products, and the intermediary 7 products: steel and iron, non-ferrous metals, aluminum, chemicals, plastics and polymers, paper, paper tissues, cardboards, and glass.
  • The three general measures: durability, recyclability, and the recyclable components after consumption.
• The priority of product groups to be addressed first.
• Issues relating to products and general measures that should be defined under the Ecodesign Regulation.
• The improvement of product characteristics from an environmental perspective, the level of detail of the products and general measures that should be defined under the Ecodesign Regulation.
• Environmental and circularity issues in the value chain and feasibility in complying with the draft regulation.

     Thai entrepreneurs need to follow the development of this draft law to prepare for exporting related products to the EU, which is expected to be enforced in early 2024. Currently, this preliminary feedback and information is being discussed with stakeholders before it will be open for further feedback and consultation with stakeholders again.

     According to the Thai Customs Department statistics, Thailand exported products to the EU in 2022 worth THB 790 billion, which are products that must have Ecodesign or may need Ecodesign to be distributed in the EU, amounting to approximately THB 375 billion. Such products include computer equipment and accessories, air conditioners and components, rubber products, electrical circuit panels, transformers and components, electrical appliances and other components, and plastics.

Source: Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce
Tel. +66 2507 7572

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