Energy efficiency products: office and communication technology equipment, labelling programme Energy Star

The committee adopted the report by Eryl McNALLY (PES, UK) amending the proposal under the codecision procedure (1st reading). The committee felt that, overall, there were practical benefits to the EU signing up to the American 'Energy Star' programme, but it was keen to ensure that regular reviews were carried out to ascertain whether the standards set were ambitious enough and took sufficient account of the concerns of the EU. It suggested that the programme be reviewed within two (rather than five) years of the regulation coming into force to see whether the chosen approach of taking over US standards was the right one in practice, and wanted it to be made clear in the regulation that, in its negotiations with the USA, the EU would endeavour to ensure that the requirements for awarding the label were set sufficiently high. The committee also called for the EUESB to draw up an annual report on the market penetration of products bearing the Energy Star logo and on the technology available for reducing energy consumption. It pointed out that, even if the programme was successful, there were nevertheless other measures for reducing electricity consumption from office equipment, such as simply switching it off when not needed. One practical proposal made by the committee was that a short pamphlet should be enclosed with appliances at the time they were sold, providing information on the labelling scheme. Other points raised in the report included the need for Member States to be more closely involved in the work of the EUESB (for example, by including national energy policy experts on the board) and the need for Council and Parliament to be kept informed of the board's activities. It also pointed out that, in addition to labelling especially efficient equipment, the most inefficient equipment should gradually be withdrawn from the market. If this could not be achieved by a voluntary agreement with manufacturers, then the Commission should draw up legislative proposals.�