By Brian Johnson - 6th May 2009
Plans to provide EU consumers with a single, uniform energy label scheme were thrown into confusion after MEPs backed two different labelling regimes.
MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday backed a report by Greek socialist deputy Anni Podimata rejecting European commission proposals to end the well-known A to G colour-coded energy efficiency labelling scheme for appliances.
Under the commission's proposals, the A to G labelling system was to have been extended to categories more efficient than A, designated A-20 per cent, A-40 per cent etc.
However, MEPs feared the commission's new system would confuse consumers, and backed instead plans to recalibrate the iconic A to G classification system every few years to deal with improvements in efficiency technology.
Finnish Green MEP called the vote a "victory for consumers", adding that the current A to G scale was an "EU success story – instantly recognisable and understandable to consumers in Europe."
MEPs were expected to follow up on Tuesday's decision to stick to the well-known A to G scheme when they voted on commission plans – so-called "implementing measures under the existing energy labelling directive - to change the labelling format for fridges and TVs, on Wednesday.
However deputies unexpectedly added to the confusion, by rejection the commission's proposals to sub-divide the energy classes for TVs, but accepting the new format for household refrigeration appliances.
Under the EU's comitology process the European parliament and council can block "implementing measures" under rules called "regulatory procedure with scrutiny".
However for parliament to block the measures, an absolute majority of its members (at least 393 MEPs) must be obtained.
The vote on blocking the new format for household refrigeration appliances fell four votes short of an absolute majority.
The failure to block the new classifications for fridges surprised consumer groups attending the Strasbourg session.
Nina Klemola of ANEC, the European consumer voice in standardisation, said the outcome "really came as a surprise, we are not sure what exactly happened during the vote."
Podimata was unavailable for comment, but her office confirmed that discussions were already underway with the commission to resolve the issue.
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