By Brian Johnson - 13th April 2005
MEPs have backed laws to improve the eco-performance of new electrical products.
Endorsing an earlier informal agreement reached between the parliament and the Luxembourg EU presidency, MEPs agreed on Wednesday a compromise package for a directive on eco-design requirements for energy-using products.
The directive hopes to reduce the environmental impact of electrical products, such as domestic appliances and consumer electronics by integrating environmental considerations into the design and manufacturing process.
In practical terms the directive will address issues such as TV and computer ‘stand by’ modes, and water consumption rates of washing machines.
Parliament’s rapporteur on the directive, Belgian MEP, Frédérique Ries underlined that addressing the issue of stand by mode could save EU citizens at least €100 a year on their electricity bills.
The new directive is also expected to play a significant role in combating climate change.
Brussels estimates that the initiative will reduce CO2 production in the EU by 180 million tonnes by 2010, around half the EU’s commitment under the Kyoto protocol.
“The directive will deliver long lasting and increasing energy savings beneficial to consumers that will also contribute to a reinforced security of energy supply for the community,” said EU energy chief Andris Piebalgs.
And the directive was given a ‘competitiveness’ seal of approval by German competition chief, Gunter Verheugen.
“The eco-design directive will prepare EU industry to face worldwide challenges related to environmental improvement of their products,” said Verheugen.
Ries also pushed the economic benefits of the new legislation.
"In the framework of the Lisbon Strategy our legislation must be a spring-board and not a brake on European entrepreneurship. These are win-win formulae that we seek,” she said.
“We have two aims: use technological innovation to fight the greenhouse effect and at the same time make SMEs and consumers aware of this ecological approach. Mission accomplished”.
The eco-design directive was cautiously welcomed by environmental groups.
“Whilst we recognise that the Parliament managed to strengthen the eco-design directive…we regret very much the failure to push through similar requirements on other environmental challenges such as recyclability of electronic products for reducing electronic waste,” said John Hontelez of the European Environmental Bureau.
The European Commission will now begin work, in consultation with manufacturers, on introducing a set of specific eco-design requirements, which will apply both to imported products and those manufactured in the EU.
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