Brussels, 28/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 24 April, the European Parliament approved a compromise text with Council in which the two institutions give their support to a Commission proposal aimed at extending the scope of the eco-design directive.
Eco-design consists of taking the environmental dimension into account from the moment when products are designed, looking closely at the different stages in the products' life cycle. The 2005 framework directive defines the principles, conditions and criteria for determining environmental requirements for energy-consuming products. In principle, it applies to any product that uses energy and which is marketed, and covers all sources of energy. The Council and MEPs reached a compromise on revision of the directive, on the basis of the report by Magor Imre Csibi (ALDE, Romania). The compromise was adopted by 394 to 13 and 3 abstentions.
Review of the 2005 directive as supported by the compromise authorises the European Commission to determine the design requirements for energy using products such as boilers, computers, televisions, industrial fans and light bulbs. During informal talks, MEPs managed to have energy-related products included, that is, products that do not consume energy during use but which have an indirect impact on energy consumption, such as water-using devices, windows or insulation material. (O.L./transl.jl)