European Parliament votes for broader eco-design rules for energy related products

1.40.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 24th Apr 2009

Today the European Parliament approved a broadening of the EU eco-design Directive to all energy related products. Products such as hairdryers, computers and fridges already had to fulfill Eco-design requirements. Now also goods which help reduce energy consumption, such as windows, construction products, insulation materials, detergents and water-using products are covered by this legislation.

Magor Imre Csibi (PNL, Romania) drafted Parliament's report and pushed to broaden the scope. He is satisfied that thanks to the efforts of the EP the compromise clarifies the definition of energy related products, the resource efficiency and life cycle are better covered, and the Commission committed itself to adapt the current methodology if needed to prepare for a future extension to all products after its review in 2012. He said:

"In times of narrowing natural resources, we need to optimize the use of resources by reducing the environmental impact of our products during their entire lifecycle. More than 80% of all environmental impacts of a product are determined during product design. An improved product design would avoid waste and provide consumers with more efficient, more reliable and longer lasting products."

Extending the eco-design requirements to energy related products, such as windows or water taps, is a first step forward to a more ambitious approach on sustainable product policy at EU level. In the future, I believe it is necessary to apply eco-design rules to all consumer products to fight environmental degradation."

Alan Butt Philip, top Lib Dem candidate in Wales added: "Excellent cooperation between the Commission, the Council and the Parliament allowed for a further step towards a 'low carbon' future. We need more ecological innovation to fight climate change but also to overcome the current economic downturn. Today's decision will open up new business opportunities in particular for small and medium sized enterprises and for further cost efficient energy savings."