Conservatives call for new energy labelling design
Posted, May 07, 2009 @ 12:00
Conservative energy spokesman in the European Parliament, Giles Chichester MEP, has called on the European Commission to come forward with a revised energy labelling scheme for white goods swiftly to ensure the highly successful energy efficiency labelling can continue.
MEPs have rejected proposals from the European Commission that would see the current energy labelling for televisions and refrigerators replaced because appliances have increased their energy efficiency to the point where most products now fall within the 'A' category.
The commission had proposed adding new scales of 'A- XX%'. For example an appliance that had a label of "A-20%" would be 20 percent more efficient than a normal A product. However MEPs and some consumer groups have expressed concern that the new system will be confusing and will undermine what has otherwise been an extremely successful scheme.
Mr Chichester has today written to the European Commissioner for energy - Andris Piebalgs - calling on him to bring forward new plans by September. He has proposed inserting a star* rating above the existing A-G scale.
Mr Chichester said:
"The energy labelling scheme has been incredibly effective at using consumer power to drive up energy efficiency standards. That is why it would be a travesty to undermine it now with an ill-thought revision.
"Many consumers and white goods stores are familiar with the current system so redesigning it entirely would add to the confusion. However we can find ways of building upon it whilst providing clarity. The commission should come back with new proposals immediately so that we can adopt a new labelling scheme as soon as the parliament returns."