The European Parliament has sparked controversy this week through its backing of a report which would impose further rules on producers of energy-using products as part of the amendment of the eco design Directive.
The report recommends conditions on energy savings from ordinary domestic products, which use electricity. Parliament has now backed the directive to apply to virtually all domestic appliances ranging from computers to hairdryers to washing machines.
A bone of contention between the Parliament, the Commission and industry is which legal jurisdiction the final law would fall under. MEPs have voted for a dual legal basis for it, whereby it would be based on the internal market provisions of the EC Treaty, as well as falling under the Treaty’s environment provisions which would allow individual Member States to impose stricter rules than those required under EU law.
The CECEC, the association body for the domestic appliance manufacturers, fear such a decision as backed by the Parliament would fragment the single market by allowing variant standards for Member States.
“This will reduce consumer choice because costs will rise, prices will skyrocket and valid products will be withdrawn from the market,” it predicts.
The MEPs endorsed a list of products to be initially affected by the directive, including heating, lighting and office equipment and consumer electrical. They have also called for more consumer information to be made available from manufacturers, along with instructions on how to use the products to minimise energy loss.
The Parliament also called for a board of environmental NGOs, consumers and manufacturers to be set up to consult with on eco design.
Industry generally is fearful of the over regulation of the market, some calling for market forces primarily to lead change rather than any interference at a political level.
From edie.net