This has resulted in some appliances having a market that consists largely of A or A+ products, while we need to find a system that can deal with future improvements in technology and efficiency. Hence the suggestion from the European manufacturers CECED (of which AMDEA is the UK member) that we change to a new rating system ranging form 1 to 7, with 7 being the most efficient band, and with space for future even more efficient products to be rated 8 or 9 (with 1 or 2 eventually dropping out of the system).

A bigger picture

However, the question of energy labelling is only part of a much bigger project by the European Union, which may have huge implications for the domestic appliances industry and beyond. It is the EuP Directive or more precisely, the Directive for the Eco-design of Energy Using Products.

This Directive aims at reducing the environmental impact of energy using products, with the exception of transport. It looks at individual products, groups of products or their functions (eg standby features).

The European Commission – backed up by bodies such as Defra and the MTP (Market Transformation Programme) in the UK – argues that it is important to create a scenario where products become ever more resource efficient over time.

It is estimated that over 80% of “product-related environmental impacts” are determined by the design of the product, therefore minimum standards for products or product groups need to be introduced. The aim is not only to improve general standards, but to remove the worst performers from the market.

Working towards the EuP

The European Commission plans to divide the work on EuP into stages.

The first step, for each product or product category, will be a Preparatory Study, undertaken with the help of consultants, and lasting between 11 and 21 months.

This will result in a report sent to the European Commission, which will issue an Impact Assessment paper.

In parallel with this, the Commission will be considering possible implementation measures. These do not have to be based on legislation. According to the Commission – and Defra/MTP in the UK – voluntary agreements with the industry concerned might suffice, as long as the objectives laid down in the EuP Directive and the conclusions derived from the product group report are met.

Progress so far

Six Preparatory Studies have been completed in the following areas: personal computers, consumer electronics, standby and off-mode losses, battery chargers and external power supplies, office lighting and public street lighting. A further 11 studies are now underway, covering: boilers, water heaters (which has possible implications for showers), imaging equipment (copiers, faxes, printers, scanners etc), domestic air conditioning, electric motors (and pumps and fans), commercial refrigeration, domestic refrigeration, dishwashers and washing machines, solid fuel small combustion installations, simple set top boxes and domestic lighting.

Four more are planned for the future, covering solid fuel boilers, laundry driers, complex set-top boxes, and vacuum cleaners.

The studies will be completed during late 2007 and 2008. The Commission – in consultation with Member States – will be seeking to introduce new standards by voluntary or mandatory means from around mid-2008 onwards. The European Commission is also trying to develop a Working Plan for the next three years, with future priorities for EuP.

Amdea's contribution

We are in discussions both at UK and European level about the issues surrounding the introduction of new environmental standards.

We support attempts to reduce the environmental impact of energy using products. But we also have to ensure that we provide the products which our customers want, and for a reasonable price.

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