Brussels, 16/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 15 April, the Council adopted its first reading position on the draft directive on the labelling of energy consumption and other resources by energy-related products. The new text seeks to extend the scope of the current directive, 92/75/EC, which is limited to household appliances (fridges, freezers, washing machines, tumble driers, dishwashers and ovens), products consuming energy for industrial or commercial purposes, such as cold stores, displays and automatic dispensers, and construction products, which do not directly consume energy, but which have a direct, indirect or significant effect on energy savings, such as windows, window and door frames and external doors. The new energy labelling system will still be based on the sliding scale, from A (green, energy efficient) to G (red, poor energy rating), but provides for three additional classes, “A+”, “A++” and “A+++”. The system of associated colours, from dark green for the most energy efficient to red for the least, will be amended as a result of the changes, but the most efficient class will remain dark green and the least red. The European Commission brought forward its draft revised directive on energy labelling in November 2008 as part of its energy security package. The European Parliament adopted its first reading position in April 2009 (see EUROPE 9896), before reaching trialogue agreement with the Council and Commission in November 2009 (see EUROPE 10022). With the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty, however, amendments were needed, particularly with regard to the adaptation of the legal basis and the comitology provisions. (E.H./transl.rt)