Energy labelling: popular EU system simplified

Energy labelling for household appliances will be reformed and simplified. Negotiators of the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on the new labelling scheme last night. The A+ to A+++ classes of the existing energy labels will be rescaled to the renewed A to G class labels from the previous scheme.

"It is a positive move to abolish the present categories where almost all fridges, washing machines or TVs have made it into either the A+++ or the A++ classes. The balanced reform will make sure that a popular system can be successfully maintained", said Herbert Reul MEP who is in charge of the energy labelling reform for the EPP Group.

The most popular appliances will be re-classified to the new A to G scaling first, and less frequently purchased product categories such as heating systems will follow later. All product categories will be subject to clear rules as to when a label needs amending again.

"I welcome the pragmatic agreement on the new scheme which is going to be to the benefit of both consumers and industry", said Reul. It was questionable, however, whether a centralised database for all appliances was really needed. "I am glad that data protection concerns have been met, but I still do not see the added value of a centralised database at the European Commission", said the EPP Group MEP.