MEErP Preparatory Study on Taps and Showers. Final report
Following the publication of the Working Plan for the Ecodesign Directive (2012-2014), in April 2013 the European
Commission launched a preparatory study on the product group taps and showers. The preparatory study on taps and
showers has been developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) following the Commission’s
Methodology for the Evaluation of Energy-related Products (MEErP). The research is based on available scientific
information and data, adopts a life cycle thinking approach and has engaged with stakeholder experts in order to discuss
key issues and to develop a wide consensus. As a final result, the JRC has produced a comprehensive techno-economic
and environmental assessment with which to evaluate a possible favourable mix of policy instruments for this product
group.
In summary, the study has pointed out that:
- Water consumption and scarcity is and will be a problem in many areas of the European Union.
- The water- and energy-saving potential of taps and showers at European level is significant.
- A large number of taps and shower models are on the market which offer consumers the possibility of
choosing between different levels of water and energy consumption.
- Water-saving technologies represent technically effective, economically affordable and flexible product options.
- Market transformation and current policy instruments and industry initiatives are already generating some
environmental benefits for this product group.
- Increased environmental improvement could be achieved through additional environmental product policy
instruments.
- A strategic communication policy would be needed because user behaviour is a key issue for ensuring the
effective achievement of a potential benefit with any initiative.
- Harmonised standards for measuring and calculating the water/energy efficiency of taps and shower systems
would also be an important element to integrate in any policy option although this may require a considerable
amount of time.
CORDELLA Mauro;
GARBARINO Elena;
CALERO PASTOR Maria;
MATHIEUX Fabrice;
WOLF Oliver;
2014-12-04
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC92487
978-92-79-44339-8,
1831-9424,
EUR 26939,
OP LF-NA-26939-EN-N,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC92487,
10.2791/539491,
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