Energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations

In its draft recommendation, the Research committee accepts the 15 % energy efficiency improvement for a first set of norms provided for in Council's common position but insists that this should be implemented 2 years after the adoption of the Directive instead of 3 years. However, in am.1, the committee stresses the need for a second phase of energy efficiency improvement. To this end the Commission is invited to explore with the industry the possibility for concluding voluntary agreements within 3,5 years after the adoption of the Directive. Before the end of the 4th years, the Commission should present a communication stating whether such agreements had been reached and, if not, propose a mandatory text introducing a second set of norms providing for an overall 20 % energy efficiency improvement compared with the first set of norms. The second set of norms should enter into force 5 years after the adoption of the Directive. Finally, as the common position had provided for exceptional treatment (allowing for lower efficiency) to be reserved to tropical and sub-tropical refrigerators, the committee, in a spirit of compromise adopted an amendement restricting this exceptional treatment solely to refrigerators/freezers with a 4 star freezer compartment and which have a single compressor. �