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

    3.4. Office Equipment

The European Energy Star Program is a voluntary energy-labeling program for office equipment. Manufacturers, assemblers, exporters, importers and retailers are invited to register with the European Commission allowing them to place the Energy Star label on products that meet or exceed energy-efficiency guidelines. The participation in the program is voluntary. As office equipment is traded world-wide, an Agreement was signed December 2000 between the Government of the United States of America and the European Community intended to co-ordinate energy-efficient labeling programs for office equipment in two of the major global markets for office products. The Agreement is intended to stimulate international trade of office equipment, by facilitating the procedures for economic operators to participate in the Energy Star program. The Agreement is managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the European Commission and it will remain in force for an initial period of five years.