ebm-papst, the fan and motor manufacturer, says it is already well prepared for the new efficiency targets for fans, which take effect from 2013, as part of the EU's Energy-related Products (ErP) directive.
The company, which has been compliant for many years, has added some information to its website to help OEMs to get to grips with what is required http://bit.ly/NnwZEM.

Robert Harness, ebm-papst UK business development manager, said: 'From 2013, new efficiency targets for fans come into force under the European Union's Energy-related Products (ErP) directive, which will mean that some types will have to be taken off the market.'

'The regulations will tighten further in 2015, with an even greater impact. We've been good to go for years and all of our EC fans meet the standard for 2015, but you should still check with us if you are in any doubt,' he added.

The ErP directive affects axial, centrifugal (forward and backward curved), cross-flow and diagonal fans with a power input of between 125W and 500kW and it is the fan manufacturer's responsibility to assess their own products to establish if they pass or fail.

The new regulations apply to the complete fan impeller and motor combination. This means both external rotor motor designs and separate impeller and motor combinations where the fan is driven by a shaft or drive belt.

Anyone who sources separate motors and impellers and combines them into a fan system is deemed to be a fan manufacturer under the ErP directive and as such, they will also have to test their fans to ensure they comply with the regulations.

'Having calculated the efficiency of a fan as a ratio of electrical power in against air power out, whether it passes or fails is determined by its category and the limit set by the ErP directive. For each fan type, there is a corresponding formula to calculate whether a fan meets the minimum efficiency requirement,' explained Mr Harness.