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Auditors examine EU #Ecodesign and energy labels

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The European Court of Auditors is conducting an audit of EU measures for ecodesign and energy labelling of products, including household appliances. In particular, the auditors will assess these measures’ contribution to the EU’s energy efficiency and environmental objectives.

As part of its fight against climate change, the EU is committed to improving its energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 and by 32.5% by 2030. To help achieve these goals, the Commission has taken measures focusing on greener product design and consumer information. About €0.8 billion have been allocated for the 2007-2020 period.

The auditors have today published an Audit Preview on EU policy for ecodesign and energy labelling. Audit Previews provide information on an ongoing audit task. They are designed to be a source of information for those interested in the policy or programmes being audited.

Ecodesign and energy labelling should complement each other. On the one hand, ecodesign requirements promote innovation and ‘push’ the market away from the worst-performing products. On the other hand, energy labels encourage consumers to make better-informed decisions, thus ‘pulling’ the market towards greater energy efficiency. Market surveillance is therefore essential to ensure products comply with the requirements.

The current ecodesign requirements cover 30 product groups ranging from household lamps to industrial solid-fuel boilers. The rules on labelling also apply, at least partly, to 13 of these product groups. The audit will examine how well EU action has helped towards achieving energy efficiency and environmental objectives.

In particular, the auditors will focus on:

  • The Commission’s management of ecodesign and energy labelling measures, and;
  • the impact of EU action on member states’ market surveillance activities.

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