Efficiency action plan aims to avoid red tape

EU attention this month has focused on the new energy efficiency action plan, with media hype suggesting the proposals emanating from Brussels will mean dozens of unexpected new laws and standards.

In fact, the EU has for many years been approving measures to reduce energy demand by raising environmental standards. Some of these are already up and running while others, such as an eco-design directive, have only just begun to have any effect.

They range from voluntary labelling schemes to tax laws and a debate on the need for an EU energy strategy.

According to the action plan, "a comprehensive framework of directives and regulations to improve energy efficiency in energy-using products, buildings and services is in force in Community law".

Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in his action plan aims to show that, if all these measures are properly followed through, the EU can reduce energy consumption by 20% without needing to approve a swathe of new laws.

The action plan even adds that this objective "can be achieved using existing technology" - assuming use of the technologies increases.

But implementation of approved legislation and interest in voluntary schemes is one of several problems the action plan hopes to overcome.

Below is a list of the main laws and agreements currently in place or being discussed in Europe. Most of these are mentioned in the energy efficiency action plan.

• Green paper on a European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy. Consultation document published in March this year.

The idea of developing a common EU energy policy, for decades anathema to European governments, has been given new impetus over the last year. Unexpected support for a common policy from UK Prime Minister Tony Blair last year was soon followed by general European panic over the need to share energy supplies, as Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine without warning.

Responding to the change in mood, the Commission published its green paper on energy, which backs energy efficiency as a way to reduce dependence on imports.

• Eco-design directive. Legislation on environmental design for energy-using products (EUP); came into force in August 2005.

Ministers and MEPs last year agreed in principle on the need for EU-wide design rules to reduce energy loss from products including lighting and air conditioning.

Design standards for specific products are now being drawn up.

• Energy end-use efficiency and energy services directive. Legislation adopted last year. Asks governments to draw up national action plans to make 1% annual energy savings on energy services, including the supply and distribution of electricity.

• Energy performance of buildings directive. Legislation in force since 2003. Sets energy efficiency standards for all new houses and renovations of buildings with floor space greater than 1,000 square metres.

• Car fuel efficiency labelling directive. 1999 rules. Makes it compulsory for new cars to be labelled with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (see page 24).

• Construction products directive. Sets out standard EU rules for construction products, including energy use constraints. Amended in 1993.

• Energy tax directive. A 2004 directive setting minimum tax rates for oil, coal, gas and electricity.

• Transport CO2 agreements. Voluntary industry commitments to reduce car emissions to 140mg/km by 2008, and 120mg/km by 2012.

• Energy labelling directive. 1992 legislation setting rules for standard EU labelling and product information on household appliances, including freezers, washing machines, ovens and dishwashers. Efficiency grades go from G (worst) to A+ (best).

• Energy star label. A voluntary energy efficiency label for office equipment. Adopted in 2001, based on a US scheme.

• Eco-labelling. A voluntary scheme under way since the early 1990s. The "flower label" is awarded to products meeting tough green production standards. Standards for 24 products have been agreed, with another four being developed.

• Co-generation directive. In force since 2004, this aims to boost energy efficiency by promoting combined heat and power generation (CHP).

• Car tax proposal. A directive under discussion, this could replace EU car registration taxes with a tax based on a vehicle’s CO2 emissions.

• Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). A 2001 voluntary scheme to improve companies’ environmental performance, including through energy efficiency.

• Integrated product policy (IPP). Voluntary projects to make products more environmentally friendly, including through energy efficiency.

EU attention this month has focused on the new energy efficiency action plan, with media hype suggesting the proposals emanating from Brussels will mean dozens of unexpected new laws and standards.