GEN – 1468.00. On Tuesday, 07 March, the European Commission held the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Consultation Forum meeting on the review of the regulations on air conditioners and comfort fans products (Regulations EU 206/2012 and 626/2011).
Subject | Notes from the Consultation Forum on air conditioners and comfort fans |
Date | Tuesday, 07 March 2023 |
Time | 10:00-17:00h (Brussels Time) |
Venue | Centre Borschette |
Participants | Massimiliano Ferrario, Francesco Scuderi, Henk Kranenberg, Guglielmo Colombo |
Agenda
Time | Agenda |
10:00-10:15 | Welcome and introduction, Approval of minutes of CF meeting on market surveillance (5December 2022), Adoption of the Agenda |
10:15-12:00 | Ecodesign of air conditioners and comfort fans: presentation and discussion of the working document. |
12:00-13:15 | Lunch break |
13:15-15:00 | Update regarding the impacts of the different options regarding the Energy labelling of local space heaters, air conditioners and comfort fans |
15:00-15:30 | Coffee break |
15:30-16:15 | Information unit: Upcoming study on potential Ecodesign requirements on critical raw materials |
16:15-16:45 | Information point: Update on the Meerp review finalization (point to be confirmed) |
16:45-17:00 | AOB |
17:00 | End of meeting |
Notes
European Commission delegation composed by Mr Rivière and Mr Niels Ladefoged.
Next steps
Deadline for comments after the meeting: 14 April 2023
Introduction and Legislative process
New studies published since 2019 (addendums on fixed double duct, comfort fans and functional requirements). In 2019 a merging of the labels was proposed but additional studies were asked. This is the last consultation forum. For the energy labelling and there is no complete document ready yet. MEPS revisited because of changes of conditions and market. Spot coolers are now included, used fully inside areas that need to be air conditioned but also can withstand with heat being released (industrial application).
Any ventilation unit is out of the scope and the same for close control units. To avoid further delays, they are excluded from the scope of the current revision with the idea to include the close control units in the lot 21 revision (Regulation 2016/2281).
The revision work should be completed by the beginning of 2024.
General questions or comments
Austria: is it possible to extend the scope over 12 kW? (COM replied that there is the Regulation 2016/2281 but it can be evaluated)
Germany: It will provide detailed comments, asked clarifications on the close control units/server room air conditioners and software updates. Approves the mention of the compensation method for the future review.
COM: Server room is the same as close control, normally not reversible, we can remove the definition of close control air-to-air heat pump.
Italy: there is a long list of comments that will be provided in writing, first questions and comments:
what is indoor air filtration? Air purifiers, as some new products recognized at international level, are included?
Please improve the definition of comfort fans, we indeed have a problem on the definition of the functionality. We will try to avoid loopholes. Define clearly the products included in this regulation or exclude them.
Include also packages in the definition of close control units among the exclusions.
Declaration of identity: modify “technical information” in “technical documentation”. For software update Italy would like to elaborate on the proposal of Germany, the article has been copied from previous regulations.
COM: will add definition of indoor air filtration. For comfort fans we have the problem to define the functionalities. Try to avoid loophole, open for suggestion.
On close control we can adapt the definition. Need proper definition for air purifiers otherwise any bladeless fan with a filter can become it.
Eurovent: is the intention to include destratification fans? Support to Italy’s comment on close control packages. Missing definition of portable room air conditioner.
COM: Industrial fans shouldn’t be included.
Belgium supported Italy on air purifiers, ECOS asked to include close control in the scope.
COM replied that will be evaluated the inclusion in 2016/2281, not in the current revision of lot 10.
Single Ducts and Portable Double Ducts
New MEPS