Brussels, 11/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The new energy-rating labelling for household electrical goods, proposed by the European Commission and approved by member states in the Eco-Design Regulatory Committee at the end of March, is not to the European Parliament's liking, at least in the case of televisions. Fearing that the new labelling system, which would have class “A” (for the most energy efficient goods) supplemented by additional, higher classes - with “A-20%” and “A-40%” indicating that the goods bearing this label consume 20% or 40% less energy than those in category “A” - will simply confuse consumers, Parliament, after a vote in plenary session, has blocked the Commission proposal to subdivide class “A” in the case of televisions.
Under the regulatory control procedure under Directive 92/75/EC on energy labelling, the Commission can impose technical standards and a classification indicating the energy efficiency of household goods, but the Council and Parliament have to give their approval to such measures. For Parliament to have given the go-ahead, a qualified majority of at least 393 MEPs would have been required. The resolution against the new labelling for televisions, calling on the Commission to come back with fresh proposals based on an “A” to “G” classification by September, received 399 votes, but the resolution rejecting the new labelling for fridges only got 389 votes.
On the television labelling, Parliament responded to calls from consumer organisations, in particular the BEUC, which complained that the new system would undermine all that has been done over the last 15 or so years to encourage consumers to buy more energy efficient goods. In the case of fridges, Parliament went with manufacturers, who felt that retention of the simple “A” to “G” system would have meant downgrading some machines in the classification. Having earlier adopted the Podimata report on the recast of the energy labelling directive (see EUROPE 9896), Parliament had confirmed its preference for the simple “A” to “G” system, valid for 3-5 years and providing for regular updates of minimum thresholds. The Greens claimed that German Conservatives and Liberals had given in to pressure from German industry. Whatever the reason, the Parliament vote means that the Commission will have to go back to the drawing board on televisions and provide consumers with new simpler, more understandable labelling. It remains to be seen, too, if the Commission will re-work its proposals on fridges. (E.H./transl.rt)