FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE NEW EU DIRECTIVE ON ECODESIGN COMES INTO FORCE. WAYPOINT IS ALREADY READY FOR A LONG TIME.

Antonio Mangiola
Oct 6, 2021

The new EU directive on eco-design is finally in force, opening up to a new and different future
for the design in which the product will be thought in green and eco-sustainable terms right from the stage embryonic design. From now on, it will be mandatory to take into account resources and
of the materials used, both to reduce the environmental impact generated by a production that is not attentive to planet and to contribute to the reduction of the amount of waste generated, by designing objects and have strong characteristics of durability, repairability, updating and recyclability. From
today, as in WayPoint we have been doing for years following the “Light For Future” project conceived by Alberto Baesso, we will have to start from a design that places production at the center of the activity
the principles of the circular economy.

WHAT IS ECODESIGN OR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN?

The objective of Directive 2009/125/EC is to "completely eliminate the impact negative on the environment through intelligent and sensitive design". These results are obtained only by applying eco-design to all phases of the product life cycle, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of production. Starting from the procurement and use of materials, which from now on must be reusable, biodegradable, recyclable and non-toxic, the producer will also have to evaluate the production cycle and the final distribution of the asset which, with the entry into force of the directive, will have to comply with criteria for reducing energy consumption during the production and reduced environmental impact. Finally, in the eco-design evaluation of a product, the duration and the ability to reuse must be evaluated. The life cycle of an article must be able to be the most as long as possible through the recycling or reuse of its components and, ultimately, the product must be 100% biodegradable enough to allow it to re-enter completely in the natural cycle.

WHAT CHANGES FOR LIGHTING WITH THE ECODESIGN DIRECTIVE?

The ecodesign legislation simplifies and homogenizes the EU legislation of the products of lighting. With the "Single Lighting Regulation" we want to guarantee, with the aim of reducing of energy consumption of 20% per year, a safe, competitive and sustainable light source thanks to an increase in the efficiency levels of the lighting fixtures. This passage becomes a fundamental instrument to uniform the products destined to the EU market, making the control of the articles verifiable and applicable first that they enter the market.

WHAT CHANGES FOR A PRODUCT WITH A TRADITIONAL LAMPHOLDER?

Lighting items with traditional lamp holders do not undergo any changes with respect to rules established before September 1, 2021. As previously, the indication of the product's energy efficiency is affixed to the light source itself, the bulb, from producer.

WHAT CHANGES FOR A PRODUCT WITH INTEGRATED BUT REPLACEABLE LIGHT SOURCE?

The situation is different for lighting fixtures equipped with an integrated light source but replaceable. In this case, the product is defined as a "container" and the user of the same must be able to replace the light source independently, rather than using the services of a service center. In this case it will be indicated in the labeling the model of the source through the following pictograms: