The Energy Labelling of Household Appliances: the EU policy framework

Conference-roundtable:Towards the Introduction of the EU Energy Label for Household

Appliances in Serbia

31 March 2010, Tirana, Albania

Jozsef Szlezak, Senior Expert, Sustainable Consumption and

Production, REC

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The problem I (total electricity consumption)

EU 25 countries, source: EEA (2008)

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The problem II (energy intensity of households)

EU 25 countries, source: EEA (2008)

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The EU policy background: overarching policiesRelevant overarching policies:

EU Energy Efficiency Action Plan (2007-12): The overall objective is to save 20% of annual consumption of primary energy by 2020 (compared to the energy consumption forecasts for 2020). This objective corresponds to achieving approximately a 1.5% saving per year up to 2020.

EU “Climate and Energy Package” (2009), targets by 2020:√ A reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions of at least

20% below 1990 levels√ 20% of EU energy consumption to come from renewable

resources

√ A 20% reduction in primary energy use compared with projected levels, to be achieved by improving energy efficiency.

(Collectively they are known as the 20-20-20 targets.)

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Energy Labelling Framework Directive

Energy Labelling Framework Directive 1992/75/EEC(22 September 1992) on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances

Objectives:

to enable the harmonization of national measures and thus allowing consumers to choose more energy-efficient appliances as well as to

stimulate innovation by industry

The Energy Labelling Directive is what is known as a 'framework directive' in that it does not of itself specify any limits or performance levels. It provides a legislative framework into which other directives can be introduced to require marking and performance levels for particular types of domestic appliance.

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Subsidiary directives to the Framework Directive

Household appliances (even where these are sold for non-household uses) in the scope of legislation include:

- refrigerators, freezers and their combinations,

- washing machines, driers and their combinations ,

- dishwashers,

- ovens,

- water heaters and hot-water storage appliances,

- lighting sources,

- air-conditioning devices.

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Products put on the market must be accompanied by a fiche and a label providing information relating to their consumption of energy (electrical or other) or of other essential resources.

The supplier must establish technical documentation sufficient to enable the accuracy of the information contained in the label and the fiche to be assessed.

This documentation must include:

√ a general description of the product;

√ the results of design calculations, where necessary;

√ test reports;

General provisions of the Framework Directive I

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General provisions of the Framework Directive IIThe supplier shall make this documentation available for inspection purposes for a period ending five years after the last product has been manufactured.Suppliers must provide:

√ a free label, to be attached to the appliance by the dealer in the appropriate position and in the appropriate language version;

√ a product fiche, contained in all the brochures relating to the product or, where these are not provided, in all other literature provided with the appliance.

√ Suppliers are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in the labels and fiches that they supply and are deemed to have given their consent to the publication of the information.

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Example of the label (washing machine)

The energy label also contains information on:- total consumption per cycle- washing performance (from A to G)-spin drying performance ( from A to G)- maximum spin speed- the total cotton capacity in kg- water consumption per cycle in litres- noise in the washing and spinning cycles dB(A)

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Family of energy labels in the EU

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Impact of the EU Energy Label for Household Appliances: a success story (example I)

Example: market share of cold appliances (1992-2002)

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Impact of the EU Energy Label for Household Appliances: a success story (example II)

Example: market share of washing machines (1992-2002)

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Revision of the Energy Label: mixed results I Range A-G is outdates as most products are now in the A range or above Decision postponed several times, fierce debate between industry and consumer organisationsTwo basic options discussed:

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Revision of the Energy Label: mixed results II

Final agreement: November 2009 (Swedish presidency)

The agreement requires advertisement promoting the price or energy efficiency of white goods to indicate the product's energy class. In addition, all manuals, brochures and other technical promotion will have to indicate the product's efficiency class or energy consumption to allow consumers to make energy-saving purchases.

Member states were also urged to consider energy-efficient products in public procurement, but the new directive will not include any binding requirements.

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National measures to promote market transformation

The labelling of appliances per se does not seem to be enough to spontaneously shift the market and result in higher market shares for efficient appliances.. !

Factors influencing the penetration of efficient appliances include:

- Framework conditions (price of electricity, institutions etc.)

- The national appliance market

- Consumers’ attitudes

- National policies (policy mix)

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Differences between national markets’ development in the EU (example I)

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Differences between national markets’ development in the EU (example II)

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National policies to support labelling (examples)

Retailer programmes (education, voluntary agreements etc.)

Consumer information campaigns and information tools

Endorsement label

National surveys / market analysis

Fiscal measures (taxes, subsidies)

Green Public Procurement (GPP)

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Thank you for your attention!

For further information / with related questions please contact:Jozsef SzlezakJSzlezak@rec.org Tel.: +36 26 504 059http://www.rec.org/