The Energy Labelling Directive

Purpose

The directive is one of a series of measures introduced by The European Commission under their programme of consumer and environmental protection. The overall programme goes under the title 'Specific Actions for Vigorous Energy Efficiency (SAVE)' The original framework for this programme is set out under Council Directive 91/565/EEC. Other measures include the Hot Water Boiler Efficiency Directive (92/42/EEC), Directive 93/76/EEC which requires member states to introduce other measures intended to limit carbon dioxide emissions, and Directive 96/57/EC on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations.

The Energy Labelling Directive requires that appliances be labelled to show their power consumption in such a manner that it is possible to compare the efficiency with that of other makes and models. The intention is that consumers will prefer more energy efficient appliances over those with a higher consumption, resulting in less efficient products eventually being withdrawn or decommissioned.

The Directive is not actually one of the 'New Approach' or 'CE marking' directives. However, the appliances covered by the subsidiary directives are also covered under other CE marking directives (e.g. the Low Voltage and EMC directives) and must therefore be marked with the CE logo. Since CE marking a product is not permitted unless it complies with all the directives which apply to it, it follows that CE marked appliances must also comply with the Energy Labelling Directive.

Requirements

The Energy Labelling Directive is what is known as a 'framework directive' in that it does not of itself specify any limits or performance levels. It provides a legislative framework into which other directives can be introduced to require marking and performance levels for particular types of domestic appliance.

Under the subsidiary directives, appliances must be marked to show their maximum energy consumption. Consumption figures are based on a series of equations given in the appropriate directive.

Appliances affected

Subsidiary directives affecting the following appliances have been enacted:

• Washing machines (95/12/EEC, ref. OJ(L) 136, 21/06/95)
  
  
• Electric tumble dryers (95/13/EEC, ref. OJ(L) 136, 21/06/95)
  
  
• Refrigerators and freezers (94/2/EC, ref. OJ(L) 045, 17/02/94)
  
  
• Combined washer-dryers (96/60/EEC, ref. OJ(L) 266, 18/10/96)
  
  
• Dishwashers (97/17/EEC, ref. OJ(L) 118, 07/05/97)
  
  
• Light bulbs (98/11/EEC, ref OJ(L) 71, 10/3/98)

Conformity assessment and enforcement

The Directives are based solely on self-assessment by the manufacturer although supporting documentation will be required.

Since the Directives are about the product information provided by manufacturers, the implementing regulations fall within existing consumer protection legislation dealing with the description of goods by those selling them, and enforcement is dealt with in the same way as for other retail complaints (i.e. by the Trading Standards Services in the UK).

Exclusions

The Directives in general apply only to appliances for domestic household use. Appliances intended for commercial use are excluded, as are bespoke systems manufactured for a particular application.

Future Developments

The European Commission's specific intentions with respect to the energy efficiency of domestic appliances are unclear, but it is obvious that the general direction of their efforts will be to introduce more directives in line with those already implemented for large appliances. It seems likely that these will include minimum performance requirements in addition to simply requiring labelling.

Further information

For further information or assistance with CE marking your products, please contact us at Conformance and we will be pleased to do what we can to help.