Main Page     I. The Administrative Framework     II. European Environmental Policy
III. Directives Implementing the EU Environmental Policy
IV. Chart of the Directives and Enforcement Dates

Energy Demand

The European Community, together with its Member States, is working intensively to improve energy efficiency in all end-use sectors while at the same time increasing the use of renewable energies. Two important communications setting out the strategy for energy efficiency were adopted in 2000: the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency and the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) . The Action Plan serves as umbrella document outlining programs of Community legislative and non-legislative actions on energy efficiency. Many measures have been launched and put in place such as Directives and other policy measures. The ECCP was established to identify, analyze, evaluate and to recommend least-cost measures in all supply and end-use sectors for the EU to meet its Kyoto target.

In the following sections, you will find the programs that could affect your business:

1. Combined Heat and Power
2. Efficiency in Buildings
3. Efficiency in Energy Using Products
    3.1 The EUP
    3.2 Eco-design
    3.3 Domestic Appliances
    3.4 Office Equipment

3. Efficiency in Energy Using Products

    3.3. Domestic Appliances

Minimum Efficiency Requirements

Directive 2000/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000 on energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting

This directive is intended to promote the use of energy efficient ballast systems in fluorescent lighting used in the EU. Annex II sets forth graph to define the relations between lamp power rating and the maximum permissible ballast power use. The Ballast Directive is covered by the CE marking system.

Directive Code	Directive Name	Directive Date	Date of Enforcement
96/57/EC	energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof	3 spet 1996	8-Oct-96

Directive 96/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 September 1996 on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof

This directive defines the maximum allowable electric consumption of refrigerators, freezers frozen food storage cabinets and combinations thereof that are placed on the market in the EU. The directive applies to new equipment that draws power from electric mains. Appliances that use other energy sources or/and accumulators are exempt from the directive. The procedures for calculating maximum permissible power use are set forth in Annex I of the directive. The appliances covered must be evaluated, documented and marked in accordance with the CE mark requirements.

Directive Code	Directive Name	Directive Date	Date of Enforcement
2000/55/EC	energy efficiency requirements for ballast for florescent lighting	18-Sep-00	20-Nov-00

Council Directive 92/42/EEC of 21 May 1992 on efficiency requirements for new hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels.

 

Energy Labeling of Household Appliances

There are a number of directives that define energy labeling requirements for a specific class of products. The labeling requirements are mandatory; however, the performance levels are at the discretion of the manufacturer. The purpose of the labeling requirement is to create markets for energy efficient design. These include:

Household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combination
Commission Directive 2003/66/EC of 3 July 2003 amending Directive 94/2/EC implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations,
 

Electric ovens
Commission Directive 2002/40/EC of 8 May 2002 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC for energy labeling of household electric ovens ,
 

Air-conditioners
Commission Directive 2002/31/EC of 22 March 2002 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household air-conditioner (Text with EEA relevance)
 

Lamps
Commission Directive 98/11/EC of 27 January 1998 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household lamps (Text with EEA relevance)
 

Dishwashers
Commission Directive 97/17/EC of 16 April 1997 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household dishwashers (Text with EEA relevance)
 

Combined washers-dryers
Commission Directive 96/60/EC of 19 September 1996 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household combined washer-dryers,
 

Electric tumble dryers
Commission Directive 95/13/EC of 23 May 1995 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household electric tumble dryers,
 

Washing machines
Commission Directive 95/12/EC of 23 May 1995 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household washing machines,
 

Electric refrigerators, freezers and their combination
Commission Directive 94/2/EC of 21 January 1994 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations,