Framework for energy efficiency labelling

Briefing 15-02-2017

On 15 July 2015, the Commission proposed a new regulation on energy efficiency labelling as part of its summer energy package. The proposed regulation seeks to restore the A-G scale for energy labelling; create a mechanism for rescaling products that can accommodate further improvements in energy efficiency; establish a product database on energy efficiency; and introduce a safeguard procedure to improve national market surveillance. Detailed legislation on energy labelling of household appliances would subsequently be adopted in the form of delegated acts. While the proposal is supported by consumer and environmental groups, industry groups are concerned that a major change in energy labelling could have a negative impact on both producers and consumers, acting as a disincentive to greater energy efficiency. The Council adopted a general approach in November 2015. The Parliament approved a set of legislative amendments in July 2016. Several trilogue meetings were held at political and technical level in autumn 2016. Ongoing institutional dialogue to resolve the remaining areas of disagreement may see further trilogue negotiations. A more recent edition of this document is available. Find it by searching by the document title at this address: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/home.html.