Environmental impact assessment and labelling of EEE

Electrical and electronic equipment are often complex products to analyse, making it essential to work with a partner who has the right technical expertise and experience to deliver robust, actionable LCA results. At RDC Environment, we have carried out numerous LCAs and developed multiple EPDs for this type of equipment, several of which are published in the PEP Ecopassport® database. Our in-depth knowledge helps us identify the most critical parts of the modelling early on.

Environmental labels play an important role in helping consumers easily compare the environmental performance of products. In recent years, we have supported a B2B distributor of electrical equipment, in developing its carbon-footprint-based environmental label. This collaboration is ongoing and continues to evolve as sustainability expectations increase.

The proliferation of environmental labels on the market can overwhelm consumers and obscure the original purpose of helping them make informed choices. RDC Environment conducted an in-depth review of numerous labels relevant to EEE, identifying key environmental issues, hotspots, and the strengths and limitations of each scheme. This analysis supported ADEME in developing guidance to help consumers select the most meaningful and trustworthy labels for their needs. You can read more about this project in our published article.

Circularity of EEE

As Europe accelerates its transition toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy, circularity is becoming a central priority. Key topics specifically related to EEE include designing products for longer lifetimes, improving repairability and access to spare parts, enabling refurbishment and reuse markets, and ensuring high-quality recycling and recovery of valuable materials.

These challenges are strongly shaped by evolving EU legislation, most notably the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Right to Repair initiative, the WEEE Directive, and the EU Batteries Regulation. These introduce requirements to extend product life, improve material efficiency, and reduce environmental impacts.

RDC Environment has extensive experience supporting public clients in projects related to the circularity of electronic and electrical equipment, including:

Assessment of repair practices for EEE: the project includes a detailed analysis of skill and technical requirements for component repair, barriers and opportunities, potential environmental benefits of repair. A list of actions was established to promote further component repair. Click here for the complete study (only available in French).
Economic evaluation of lifetime extension: the report provides useful information for consumers on the economic benefits of extending their lifespan following a breakdown or cultural/perceived obsolescence. Click here for the complete study (only available in French).
Environmental and economic benefits of longer lifespans: within this study, we model how extending the service life of EEE impacts its GHG emissions and identify the economic gains associated with improved durability and repairability. Click here for the complete study (only available in French).

Some of our clients that trust the work we perform:

Public authorities : European Commission, ADEME, OVAM
PROs : Recupel
Companies : SONEPAR, L’Oréal, Décathlon, Schreder…
Associations : GIFAM & Démoclès