Brussels, 13/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - At second reading on Wednesday, the EP adopted the report by Frédérique Ries (ALDE, Belgium) on the proposed framework directive of August 2003, setting ecological requirements for the design of energy-using products, to improve their energy efficiency and limit their impact on the environment. Parliament and Council arrived at a compromise on 7 April (EUROPE 8923), making improved energy efficiency the main objective of the directive and reducing the burden of the legislation on business, especially SMEs. The text adopted largely takes account of the first-reading amendments the Council initially sidelined from its joint position. The Commission also welcomed the vote: “this directive will allow sustainable and growing energy savings to the benefit of consumers, which will also go to boost the EU's security of energy supply”, stressed Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in a press release. EUROPE will return to this.