5.8.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 212/6

A.

whereas the main aim of Directive 92/75/EEC (the Framework Directive), as stated in Article 1 thereof, is to ‘enable the harmonisation of national measures on the publication, particularly by means of labelling and of product information, of information on the consumption of energy and of other essential resources, and additional information concerning certain types of household appliances, thereby allowing consumers to choose more energy-efficient appliances’,

B.

whereas the Framework Directive also states that ‘the provision of accurate, relevant and comparable information on the specific energy consumption of household appliances may influence the public’s choice in favour of those appliances which consume less energy’,

C.

whereas, as pointed out in the Commission Impact Assessment accompanying the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products (SEC(2008)2862), the original, successful A-G label has been followed as a model in different countries around the world, such as Brazil, China, Argentina, Chile, Iran, Israel and South Africa,

D.

whereas televisions are high energy consuming appliances and consequently there is considerable potential for saving energy by adding this category to the energy labelling scheme under Article 1(2) of the Framework Directive,

E.

whereas the energy labelling of televisions should be as consistent as possible with the established energy labelling schemes for other household appliances,

F.

whereas it is stated in the above-mentioned Commission Communication that ‘the existing labelling classifications will be upgraded and re-scaled every 5 years or when new technological developments justify it, based on eco-design studies, with a view to reserve A-label status for the top 10-20 % best performing equipment’,

G.

whereas it is essential for the successful implementation of the energy labelling scheme to introduce measures that will provide information on the energy efficiency of household appliances that is clear, comprehensive, comparable and easily understandable to the consumer,

H.

whereas the consumer purchasing of greater numbers of efficient appliances in place of less efficient appliances would increase the revenues of appliance manufacturers,

I.

whereas the draft Commission directive, in particular as regards the energy label design and energy efficiency classes, introduces another change by adding new A classes (A-20 %, A-40 %, A-60 %, for example) which have the potential to confuse consumers further, to hamper their proper understanding of the energy labelling scheme and to undermine their ability to choose appliances with higher energy efficiency,

J.

whereas a small number of technical adjustments to the label could result in a label which would be much clearer and more understandable to consumers,

K.

whereas evidence shows that consumers find the A-G scale clear, but the Commission has not conducted any impact assessment to show whether A-20 %, A-40 %, A-60 % alongside empty lower classes is helpful or misleading for consumers,

L.

whereas re-scaling the existing products in a closed A-G scale would, in particular, prevent the creation of empty lower classes that may mislead consumers,

M.

whereas the introduction of these additional efficiency classes on existing A-G labels, including for other products, is likely to add to confusion about whether class A represents an efficient or an inefficient product,

N.

whereas such a measure does not serve the aim of the basic instrument in providing accurate, relevant and comparable information to consumers,

O.

whereas the Commission has put forward its proposal for a recast of the Framework Directive which could introduce further changes that would have an effect on the proposed implementing measures,

1.

Opposes the adoption of the draft Commission directive implementing and amending Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of televisions;

2.

Considers that the draft Commission directive is not compatible with the aim of the basic instrument;

3.

Calls on the Commission to withdraw the draft directive and to submit a new one, based on a closed A-G scale, to the committee referred to in Article 10 of Directive 92/75/EEC as soon as possible, and in any case no later than 30 September 2009;

4.

Considers the label layout an essential element of the energy labelling directive, which should be decided as part of the revision and recast currently being considered under the codecision procedure.

5.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and the parliaments of the Member States.