Data analytics to decarbonize computer life cycles beyond energy efficiency under EU product policies

Peer-reviewed paper 8-068-26

In June 2025, EU Commission Regulations (EU) 2023/1670 and 2023/1669 introduced comprehensive Ecodesign and Energy Labelling rules for smartphones and tablets, marking a milestone in sustainable product policy. For the first time, an EU-wide repairability score and reliability criteria accompany energy-related requirements, aiming to extend lifetimes through durability, reparability, and software support, while reducing life-cycle GHG emissions. This framework is seen as a blueprint for future requirements under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781).

This paper examines the policy rationale and technical process for balancing circularity objectives from the EU Circular Economy Action Plan with the overarching goal of decarbonizing product life cycles. The paper also presents recent empirical data on defect rates, failure modes, and component-level reliability for computers to inform a lifetime model during the revision of the outdated computer Ecodesign Regulation (EU) No 617/2013. This revision, under the current Ecodesign framework but aligned with ESPR principles, is expected to introduce an Energy Label for computers, integrating durability and reparability alongside energy performance. The analysis shows how these measures translate into lifetime extension, with quantified effects on life-cycle GHG emissions and other environmental impacts. These findings will have an impact on future EU product policies far beyond IT equipment.

Read the full paper in Energy Demand.

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