The European labelling scheme for cold appliances

Panel: Panel 2: Technologies and Products (innovation, marketing, market transformation)

Authors:
Pernille Schiellerup, Environmental Change Unit, University of Oxford
John Winward, Environmental Change Unit, University of Oxford

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the first Community-wide evaluation of the European energy labelling scheme completed in September 1998 as part of a legal requirement on the Commission to make an assessment of the scheme after three years of operation. The response of consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and Member States was investigated.

It was found that while consumers do respond to the label, this response is dependent on the extent to which the label is present in the shops and the extent to which consumers regard energy consumption as an important factor when choosing between different cold appliances.

Manufacturers interviewed claimed to be supportive of the scheme, but comparison of test data from consumer organisations and the declared data on the label showed substantial differences between the two.

Retailers interviewed showed significantly less interest in the energy labelling scheme and in some cases there was little expectation that the scheme will be enforced rigorously.

Member States, had mostly translated the legislation in domestic law, although over a time period of more than three years. Little had been done to enforce the label especially manufacturer compliance, and no prosecutions had been made relating to cold appliances.

The study resulted in several recommendations which are summarised at the end of the paper, and some of which have now been taken up by the Commission and Member States.