Ecodesign requirements

Revision of requirements – more motors and speed controllers

In 2019, the Ecodesign Committee, which consists of representatives of the EU Member States, decided on a revision of the previous Engine Regulation 640/2009.

In broad terms, revision means the following:

Engines

From July 1, 2021, the following applies:

2-, 4-, 6- and even 8-pole motors within the power range 0.75 kW – 1000 kW are subject to requirements corresponding to efficiency class IE3. Note that the possibility of meeting the requirements by using speed controllers has been removed.
Small motors within the power range of 0.12 kW–0.75 kW must meet the IE2 efficiency class.

From July 1, 2023, the following applies:

Motors with extended safety class "Ex eb" are also covered by ecodesign requirements within the power range 0.12 kW – 1000 kW with pole numbers 2, 4, 6 and 8.
Single-phase motors with a power greater than 0.12 kW are subject to ecodesign requirements corresponding to the IE2 efficiency class.
Larger motors within the power range of 75 kW, with 2, 4 or 6 poles, to 200 kW must correspond to efficiency class IE4.

Speed controller

From July 1, 2021, the following applies:

Speed controllers must correspond to at least IE2 efficiency class when working with motors within the power range of 0.12 kW – 1000 kW.
Technical information should contain data on power losses in a number of operating cases for the frequency converter and information on consumption during standby mode.
For 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-pole motors from 0.12 ‒ 1000 kW, efficiency class IE2 now also applies to Ex eb-certified motors with increased safety.
Single-phase motors with a power greater than 0.12 kW are covered by the corresponding IE2 class.
The higher efficiency class IE4 applies to 2-, 4- and 6-pole motors between 75 ‒ 200 kW.

Link to the Swedish Energy Agency with more information about Electric motors and speed controllers