Ecodesign and energy consumption: Law aims to promote sustainability

A draft law from the German government sets new requirements for manufacturers. It aims to ensure that products last longer and are easier to repair.

This article is part of the special topic Repair instead of throwing away

The German Federal Government passed a legislative package on January 21, 2026. Ecodesign and to Energy consumption labeling decided. This is intended to strengthen the European Ecodesign regulation for sustainable products are to be implemented into German law. It sets out the requirements for the environmentally friendly design of products. The goal is for products to last longer and easier to repair and can be recycled. Furthermore, they should use energy and resources more efficiently. Current German regulations no longer fully comply with EU rules.

Ecodesign and energy labeling help make products more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. Consumers can thus use this information to... Energy labels Make sustainable purchasing decisions and benefit from lower energy consumption and more durable products.

The federal states monitor the market

German manufacturers are already known for durable and efficient products. To ensure this remains the case, monitor The authorities closely monitor the market. This prevents cheap and non-compliant products from distorting competition or causing harm. wrong Energy performance data is being sold. The new law is intended to ensure that the authorities violations It can punish better. It aligns the penalties with existing laws such as the Market Surveillance Act This means that the same rules and opportunities apply to all companies. In Germany, the federal states are responsible for... market surveillance responsible. The new law redefines the legal framework for this.

According to the Federal Government, implementation will take place with little bureaucracy. The legislator takes care to ensure that both the interests of industry and those of consumers are protected. Furthermore, the draft law changes the Mineral Oil Data ActThe goal is to relieve the burden on authorities and companies and to improve the quality of the data.

If the Bundestag and Bundesrat approve, the new rules will be implemented in summer 2026 come into effect. 

The Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH) had, in a statement, fundamentally rejected the draft agreed. It is an important step towards improving the repairability of products and thus promoting sustainability, resource conservation and consumer interests equally. What Criticism The ZDH also practices, read here.

Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)

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