Methodology
SummaryThe aim of the study was to conduct a formal evaluation of the Ecodesign Directive, according to the normal practice of the European Commission, and also to examine whether, and in what ways, the Directive might be extended to products that are not within the current scope of the Directive. Products currently covered are those that are either energy-using or energy-related, with an exemption for means of transport.
Task description
The evaluation was conducted in three stages:
- An initial preparatory stage, until early March 2011, in which the evaluation team reviewed existing evidence on the Directive, refined its methodology and prepared the tools and instruments for the active investigation stage.
- A second phase from March to September 2011, in which there was active engagement with stakeholders in a variety of ways. This includes two meetings with stakeholders in Brussels, the opening of an on-line survey of stakeholders’ experience and interviews with Member State officials and other major stakeholders at national and European levels. Together with further data analysis, this led to the first findings report.
- In the third final phase, the analysis of the findings and the initial reaction of stakeholders was completed and the results presented as a draft final report to a third stakeholder meeting. After taking account of responses at this third meeting and additional comments from the Commission services, the final version of the Evaluation Report was made available in April 2012.
In line with standard European Commission evaluation methodology, the study assessed the Directive against the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, utility, sustainability and European value-added.