£900m to be saved by smarter product design

Smarter eco-design for energy using products could save £900m for the economy as well as protect the environment according evidence to be given to a new consultation launched by Defra today. The consultation seeks views on how to implement minimum energy standards and energy labelling of energy using products.

The European Union (EU) Framework Directive for the Eco-design of Energy Using Products (EuP) has already begun to introduce minimum energy standards and labels for televisions, washing machines and fridges, and more electrical products, including lighting, are to follow. The EU estimates that implementing these standards effectively will reduce EU energy use by 10 per cent. Non-compliance with these standards costs £30m pa.

The consultation will ensure that manufacturers can compete in a fair environment while consumers are guaranteed that the products they purchase meet the mandatory minimum energy performance standards and their declared energy label.

New environment minister Dan Norris, said: “It is really important that we hear from businesses and manufacturers to get a well rounded view of how we can enforce and check on the energy standards of products. These standards can save our economy so much money and can save millions of tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere.”

The consultation is split into three main parts

• To find out who would be best placed to carry out the market surveillance

• To discover what the necessary powers such an enforcement authority should have, whether we need more regular testing programmes, and the role business should play in enforcement and testing of energy using products

• To seek industry and business views on draft guidance notes for five energy-using products (standby, simple set top boxes, external power supplies, tertiary lighting and household lighting).