It appears that the European Commission is planning to outlaw less efficient appliances, televisions and other electrical devices according to reports in the press.
The European Commission is demanding that manufacturers cut the energy consumption of televisions by a fifth. Both officials and manufacturers say cathode ray televisions will fall short of the new targets and be consigned to history.
This move follows the banning of the 100-watt lightbulb, which is part of an EU directive to curb the growth in household electricity consumption.
However, measure that come into force next year which affect the appliance industry include banning washing machines without a cold-wash setting. Cheap but inefficient fridges, freezers and dishwashers will also be banned.
Basically the undertone is that prices will rise and that inefficient appliances will be no more. There’s good and bad in that of course.
But even your kettle is under intense scrutiny, with plans for a study into improving its energy efficiency. It is thought that researchers will look at kettles that heat a set number of cups in order to encourage people to heat less water.
In the UK electricity consumption has doubled since 1970, driven in part by a huge increase in the number of electric appliances and gadgets. Televisions are said to be among the worst offenders with new, flat screen technologies burning more electricity than the old cathode tubes, which is ironic as they are being outlawed.
The EU is also demanding that all washing machines are capable of running cold wash programs below 30˚C. Improved detergents mean clothes can be cleaned at lower temperatures although whether thus us as effective as a wash with heat is so far open to debate.
It is estimates that these new regulations could potentially see the cost of fridges, televisions and washing machines rise by £100 or more. Under current EU benchmarks, kitchen appliances are graded from A++ to G for their energy efficiency but that is also set to change to, what has been widely regarded as more confusing ratings.
From July next year, the commission will ban manufacturers from producing goods assessed as having a rating below the A grade for energy efficiency.
Manufacturers are concerned, Paolo Falcioni, of the European Committee of Domestic Appliance Manufacturers, which lobbies for the industry, said: “Kettles are already as efficient as possible. The only improvement would be not to have them at all.”
A spokesman for the EU said: “Our aim is not to take products off the market. We want to push an upgrade of technology that will, in turn, cut energy consumption.”