Approach to Assess the Impacts of Circular Economy Measures: Case Study of Electric Motors in the EU

The European Union's (EU) Ecodesign Directive regulates energy efficiency and other environmental performance for energy-related products. A preparatory study under this directive uses the Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP) to recommend potential regulations for specific product groups. In 2022, the European Commission proposed a framework to extend the product scope to non-energy-related products in the EU market, aiming to enhance circularity, energy performance, and environmental sustainability. This proposed framework includes a revision of the MEErP methodology to prioritize resource and material efficiency. Simultaneously, the EcoReport tool, an openly accessible, Excel-based, life cycle-based tool used for ecological assessments in the methodology, is undergoing a review to align with current policies and requirements. However, there are concerns about the tool’s simplicity in addressing the complex topic of life cycle assessment (LCA). This study examines both the current and revised EcoReport tools and assesses their potential to suggest circular economy measures for products. The study further investigates the impacts of the circular economy measures through a case study focused on electric motors in the EU. The study reveals that the EcoReport tools are reliable in quickly identifying environmental impact hotspots across various life cycle stages. These tools can provide insights into factors influencing environmental impacts and identify where circular economy measures can have a significant impact. Additionally, the revised EcoReport tool can quantify potential savings from circular economy measures. Though, a quality check on the EcoReport tool results with a conventional LCA method will be worthwhile. Due to its simplicity, the EcoReport tool is more suited to policymaking than purely scientific purposes