Brussels, 06/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - Energy labelling helps consumers calculate the cost of using the household goods (such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dish-washers and ovens) that they purchase. Under Directive 92/75/EEC, manufacturers have to indicate the energy consumption of these products, whether they are classed from “A” (green ecological product) to “G” (red product, low performance). In the future, energy labelling will not just be limited to domestic white goods but also to commercial and industrial energy consuming products (such as cold chambers, windows and vending machines) and to building materials, which do not directly consume energy but which have a direct or indirect and significant impact on energy saving (such as glazing, window frames and external doors). Any advertising mentioning the technical specifications of a given product or sales information, such as a manufacturers manual, which is printed or on the internet, will have to specify the energy consumption or potential energy consumption of the product, as well as mention its energy classification. Energy classification will only be valid for 3-5 years and will have to be regularly updated due to the speed in technological progress when manufacturing products. These are the main demands formulated by the European Parliament in the report by Anni Podimata (PES, Greece), adopted in 1st reading on 6 May by 588 votes for, 27 against, with 39 abstentions, which amends the revised draft directive on energy labelling. Parliament is also stressing that member states should only provide incentives for products that respond to minimum energy efficiency criteria; it is subsequently calling for tax credits for consumers using high energy yield products and manufacturers producing this kind of product. It also calls for VAT rates to be reduced on materials and components that improve energy efficiency. Public authorities should also use the highest energy yield products which satisfy minimum performance criteria. This condition must apply to all public procurement worth more than €15,000, excluding VAT. The Commission will propose a list of priority products (including building products) to the Parliament and member states six months at the latest after the text's entry into force, in order to obtain a label indicating their potential energy savings. The technical aspects of the text, like the energy classification of specific products, will be determined by a Commission working group in accordance with procedures on regulation and inspections. (E.H./transl.rh)