91997E2315

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2315/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (3 July 1997)

Subject: Appliance energy efficiency

What action has the Commission taken to develop mandatory standards for domestic appliance energy efficiency?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1997)

The Commission has developed a strategy to improve efficiency of domestic appliances, which includes measures concerning both manufacturers and consumers. The Commission has taken action to establish minimum efficiency standards for all major energy using domestic appliances.

The Commission started this process with refrigerators and freezers, the single largest consuming domestic appliances. Following a Commission proposal, Directive 96/57/EC ((OJ L 236, 18.9.1996. )) of the Parliament and of the Council of 3 September 1996 on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof was adopted to enforce mandatory standards as from September 1999.

For washing machines, televisions and videorecorders, following studies and expert recommendations, it was decided that the best measure to achieve efficiency improvements was for manufacturers to negotiate agreements to improve efficiency of appliances put on the market. Two agreements, currently under negotiation, will result in a efficiency improvement of 20% and start on 1 January 1998. The Commission is of the opinion that these agreements will be more effective than directives for minimum efficiency standards for these appliances, given the high flexibility offered by negotiated agreements and the short time to adopt them.

For other appliances, such as dishwashers, electric water heaters and air conditioners, the Commission is carrying out studies to identify efficiency improvement potentials and the best ways (standards or negotiated agreements) to achieve the improvements.