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

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted unanimously the report by Nikolaos VAKALIS (EPP-ED, EL) amending – at first reading of the codecision procedure – the Commission proposal for a regulation on a Community energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment. The main amendments are as follows:

• stipulate that apart from the overall energy and environmental benefit, the consumer has a strong motive to choose energy efficient office equipment, also because of the important financial benefit resulting from the reduction of energy consumption the consumer has to pay for;
• tune the Energy Star programme to energy efficiency policies and targets set by the EU;
• notify Member States of the participants of the Programme with a view to keeping the Member States updated and aware;
• encourage the public sector to set the example in attaining the energy efficiency targets of the EU. The committee believes that public procurement is the best framework for promoting advanced products, especially energy consuming products, not only by setting the example to the consumer but also by giving a decisive boost to the market demand for energy efficient products;
• the Commission, assisted by the EC Energy Star Board, shall follow market penetration of products bearing the Common Logo and development of energy efficiency of office equipment with a view of a timely revision of the technical specifications;
• before giving its views on new specifications, the ECESB shall take into account the latest results of the eco-design studies;
• ensure the promotion of Energy Star labelled productions in educational and promotional initiatives;
• the Commission shall, one year before expiry of the Agreement, produce and submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report monitoring the energy efficiency of the office equipment market in the Community and giving an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Energy Star programme. The report shall include qualitative as well as quantitative data. The report shall also include data on the benefits derived from the Energy Star programme, namely energy savings and environmental benefits in terms of carbon dioxide emission reductions.