The EU’s energy efficiency labelling laws are due for an overhaul, the European Commission recently decided. The reform will ensure that the labelling system of energy efficient products will be less confusing for consumers – who would in turn be able to make informed choices to save on energy consumption and money, the Commission promised.
Energy efficient products are currently covered by two EU Directives: the Eco-Design Directive, which ensures that products are energy efficient; and the Energy Labelling, Directive which ensures that consumers can identify the most energy-efficient products.
Currently, there are 11 product groups covered by the energy efficiency and labelling rules: dishwashers; washing machines; tumble driers; refrigerators; vacuum cleaners; lamps; luminaires; televisions; air conditioners; domestic cooking appliances; and ventilation units. Another eight product groups are covered by efficiency requirements but not by labelling requirements: simple set-top boxes; external power supplies; electric motors; circulators; fans; water pumps; computers; and power transformers.
The reform will ensure that the labelling system of energy efficient products will be less confusing
Labelling and efficiency requirements for heaters and boilers such as gas boilers and heat pumps will enter into force from September 2015 onwards. These will only apply to new products on the market.
The energy efficiency of products is currently classified in different scales from A+++ to G and colour-coded. The proposed laws will change the current labelling to an energy labelling scale from A to G, eliminating the A+ to A+++ scale. The proposed new scale had already been applicable to products but in 2010 the current scale was introduced, much to the concern of consumer associations, which had immediately pointed out that introducing A+, A++ and A+++ scales would be confusing to consumers who would not really know what the pluses stood for.
In order to reinforce compliance of products with energy laws, the Commission is also proposing a digital database for new energy efficient products. Manufacturers will be obliged to register information about new products placed on the EU market on an online database. The objective of the register is to ensure that there is greater transparency and easier market surveillance by national authorities. The database will also make the label and key product information available to consumers and dealers and will facilitate the digitalisation of the energy label.
Once the proposed law is approved, no changes will need to be effected to products already on the market while new products will be sold with the new scale. Labels with the A+ to A+++ scales will be gradually eliminated by retailers over a five-year period. Consumers will be informed through dedicated information campaigns undertaken by member states, in cooperation with retailers.
In a day and age where savings on energy consumption are among the primary concern of consumers, it is of the utmost importance that a consumer is not misled by the labelling on a product which ought to be there in order to assist him or her to make an informed choice. Simpler labelling requirements on energy-efficient products, together with an effective information campaign targeted towards consumers, ought to assist in reducing energy consumption in Europe for the benefit of both the environment and the economy.
mariosa@vellacardona.com
Mariosa Vella Cardona is a freelance legal consultant specialising in European law, competition law, consumer law and intellectual property law.