Under Directive 2009/125/EC ecodesign requirements are to be set by the Commission for energy-related products representing significant volumes of sales and trade, having a significant environmental impact and presenting significant potential for improvement in terms of their environmental impact without entailing excessive costs.

Article 16(2) of Directive 2009/125/EC provides that in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 19(3) and the criteria set out in Article 15(2), and after consulting the Consultation Forum, the Commission will, as appropriate, introduce an implementing measure for products using electric motor systems.

Total electricity consumption of fans driven by motors with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW is 344 TWh per year, rising to 560 TWh in 2020 if current Union market trends persist. The cost-efficient improvement potential through design is about 34 TWh per year in 2020, which corresponds to 16 Mt of CO₂ emissions. Consequently, fans with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW represent a product for which ecodesign requirements should be established.

The Commission has carried out a preparatory study which analysed the technical, environmental and economic aspects of fans. The study was developed together with stakeholders and interested parties from the Union and third countries, and the results have been made publicly available. Further work and consultations showed that the scope could be further extended subject to exemptions being made for particular applications where the requirements would not be appropriate.

The preparatory study showed that fans driven by motors with an input power between 125 W and 500 kW are placed on the Union market in large quantities, with their use-phase energy consumption being the most significant environmental aspect of all life-cycle phases.

The preparatory study shows that electricity consumption in use is the only significant ecodesign parameter relating to product design as laid down in Directive 2009/125/EC.

Improvements in the energy efficiency of fans driven by motors with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW should be achieved by applying existing non-proprietary cost-effective technologies that can reduce the total combined costs of purchasing and operating them.

Ecodesign requirements should harmonise the energy efficiency requirements for fans driven by motors with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW throughout the Union, thus contributing to the functioning of the internal market and to the improvement of the environmental performance of these products.

Small fans (indirectly) driven by an electric motor between 125 W and 3 kW which primarily serves other functionalities are not within the scope. For illustration a small fan to cool the electric motor in a chain saw is not within the scope, even if the motor of the chain saw itself (which is also driving the fan) is above 125 W.

An appropriate timeframe should be provided for manufacturers to redesign products and to adapt production lines. The timing should be such that negative impacts on the supply of fans driven by motors with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW are avoided, and cost impacts for manufacturers, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, are taken into account, while ensuring timely achievement of the objectives of this Regulation.

A review of this Regulation is foreseen no later than 4 years after its entry into force. The review process may be initiated earlier if evidence reaches the Commission that warrants this. The review should in particular assess the setting of technology independent requirements, the potential of the use of variable speed drives (VSD) and the necessity of the number and scope of exemptions as well as the inclusion of fans below 125 W electric input power.

This Regulation should increase the market penetration of technologies that limit the life-cycle environmental impact of fans driven by motors with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW, leading to annual estimated electricity savings of 34 TWh by 2020, compared to the situation where no measures are taken.

In accordance with Article 8 of Directive 2009/125/EC, this Regulation should specify the applicable conformity assessment procedures.

In order to facilitate compliance checks, manufacturers should be requested to provide information in the technical documentation referred to in Annexes IV and V to Directive 2009/125/EC.

In order to further limit the environmental impact of fans driven by motors with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW, manufacturers should provide relevant information on disassembly, recycling or disposal at end-of-life of such fans.

Benchmarks for currently available fan types with high energy efficiency should be identified. This will help to ensure the wide availability and easy accessibility of information, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises and very small firms, which will further facilitate the integration of best design technologies and facilitate the development of more efficient products for reducing energy consumption.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 19(1) of Directive 2009/125/EC,