Czech Presidency strikes deal on eco-design

The well-known CE mark, labelling household appliances that are eco-friendly thanks to their low electricity comsumption, will be extended to a wider range of products.

This is the result of a deal on the Eco-design Directive between the Member States and the European Parliament, brokered by the Czech EU Presidency.

The directive sets out minimum standards for manufacturing certain products with the aim to ensure a low impact on the environment throughout their life cycle. At the same time, it has a positive impact on energy consumption and in this way increases their energy efficiency. Moreover, it simplifies the free movement of goods within the European Union.

“The directive meets the Czech Presidency priorities in several respects – it strengthens the internal market, increases energy efficiency and improves the protection of the environment”, says Jana Reinišová, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU, adding that “this is because the directive sets out clear criteria for relevant products and these criteria will be valid throughout the EU. In this way it removes barriers to cross-border trade that are due to different national requirements.”

Reinišová headed the team that negotiated the agreement between the European Parliament and the EU Member States. The compromise wording was confirmed by the Member State representatives on Wednesday 25 March. It will now be formally approved by the MEPs and EU ministers.

The original Eco-design Directive has been in force since 2005, but it has applied only to products running on electricity, such as household appliances or electronic devices. To ensure their eco-friendliness, the directive provides for the minimum manufacturing and design standards that must be complied with. The products that meet these requirements obtain the CE label, while others cannot be put on the EU market.

The revised version of the directive, submitted last year by the European Commission, extends its applicability to include products that are related to the consumption of energy – i.e. windows, sanitation technology or insulation products. According to the compromise, the Commission will assess the impact of the directive by 2012 and will then decide whether to extend its applicability to all products.

Additional information:

The amended text of the Directive establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products was submitted by the European Commission in June 2008. The Member States adopted a common position on the directive under the French Presidency in December 2008. However, it was the Czech Presidency that managed to harmonise the positions of the EU Council, the Commission and the European Parliament. The Member States confirmed the compromise at the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper I) on Wednesday 25 March. The European Parliament is expected to confirm this agreement at the plenary in April and the whole procedure will be formally completed by Member State ministers at one of the following Council meetings.