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The European Parliament adopted by 618 votes to 20, with 18 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a European Union energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment amending Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 on a Community energy efficiency labelling programme for office equipment.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They amend the proposal as follows:

Title: the original title is replaced by the following: Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on a Union energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment

Objective: the Regulation’s objective is to lay down the rules for the Union energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment (hereinafter referred to as the Energy Star programme) as defined in the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment.

Energy Star and ecodesign: it is stipulated that the Energy Star programme shall contribute to fulfilling the Member States' and the Union's energy-efficiency targets as referred to in Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency. It shall be coordinated, with other Union labelling or quality certification arrangements as well as with schemes such as, in particular, the Union Ecolabel award scheme, established by Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the EU Ecolabel and measures implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. That coordination shall include the exchange of evidence and, if appropriate, the setting of common levels of specifications and requirements across the different schemes.

Conformity assessment and marking: simplified provisions have been proposed so that the Commission or the Member States may submit for testing products covered by this Regulation in order to verify their compliance with the Regulation’s requirements.

Work plan: it is stipulated that the work programme that the Commission shall draw up every three years includes a strategy to implement the Energy Star Programme that includes energy-efficiency improvement, bearing in mind the need to pursue a high standard of consumer and environmental protection and the market penetration which the Energy Star programme should seek to achieve at Union level.

Review and revision: lastly, before the Parties to the Agreement discuss its renewal, the Commission shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Energy Star programme in improving the energy efficiency of office equipment, in creating new jobs and in providing market opportunities for manufacturers.

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Béla KOVÁCS (NI, HU) on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a European Union energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment amending Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 on a Community energy efficiency labelling programme for office equipment.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should be to amend the Commission proposal as follows:

Title: the original title is replaced by the following: Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on a Union energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment

Objective: the Regulation’s objective is to lay down the rules for the Union energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment (hereinafter referred to as the Energy Star programme) as defined in the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment.

Energy Star and ecodesign: it is stipulated that the Energy Star programme shall contribute to fulfilling the Member States' and the Union's energy-efficiency targets as referred to in Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency. It shall be coordinated, with other Union labelling or quality certification arrangements as well as with schemes such as, in particular, the Union Ecolabel award scheme, established by Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the EU Ecolabel and measures implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. That coordination shall include the exchange of evidence and, if appropriate, the setting of common levels of specifications and requirements across the different schemes.

Conformity assessment and marking: simplified provisions have been proposed so that the Commission or the Member States may submit for testing products covered by this Regulation in order to verify their compliance with the Regulation’s requirements.

Work plan: it is stipulated that the work programme that the Commission shall draw up every three years includes a strategy to implement the Energy Star Programme that includes energy-efficiency improvement, bearing in mind the need to pursue a high standard of consumer and environmental protection and the market penetration which the Energy Star programme should seek to achieve at Union level.

Review and revision: lastly, before the Parties to the Agreement discuss its renewal, the Commission shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Energy Star programme in improving the energy efficiency of office equipment, in creating new jobs and in providing market opportunities for manufacturers.

PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 in order to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to a new agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council.

BACKGROUND: office equipment will account for a growing share of energy consumption in future as new applications and functionalities appear. In order to meet the Union target for a 20% reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020 relative to projections, as endorsed at the Spring 2007 European Council, the energy performance of office equipment has to be further optimised.

Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 sets out the rules for implementing the Energy Star programme for office equipment (computers, displays, printers, copiers, scanners, etc.) in the European Union. The Energy Star programme is implemented in the EU on the basis of an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Community on the coordination of energy efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment, which expired in December 2011.

On 12 July 2011 the Council adopted a Decision authorising the Commission to negotiate a new 5-year agreement and the negotiations were concluded on 29 November 2011. It is necessary to amend Regulation (EC) 106/2008 to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to the new agreement.

A proposal for a Council Decision for the signature and conclusion of the new Energy Star

Agreement is presented to the Council with this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the proposal takes into account the experience gained during the first two periods of implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the EU from 2001 to 2010, as well as the consultations with the European Union Energy Star Board. 

The detailed rationale for concluding a  new Agreement continuing the Energy Star Programme for a third period of five years is set out in the Recommendation from the Commission to the Council to open negotiations for the third Energy Star Agreement and in the Communication on the implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the period 2006-2010.

The main points are as follows :

·        Energy Star has been very effective in steering the office equipment market towards greater energy efficiency. It has succeeded in reducing the electricity consumption of office equipment sold in the last 3 years by around 11 TWh, i.e. by approximately 16 %. As a result, more than EUR 1.8 billion have been saved on energy bills and 3.7 Mt of CO2 emissions have been avoided.

·        It provides a flexible and dynamic policy framework which is particularly well suited to fast-evolving products such as ICT (information and communication technology).

·        The EU and the US should continue to cooperate on developing product specifications, so that the same level of requirements can be introduced at approximately the same time by both entities.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 194(1) TFEU.

CONTENT: the primary purpose of this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008 is to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star Programme to the new Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment. 

The only substantive amendment to the proposal is the deletion of Article 4(4) of Regulation 106/2008, which states that office equipment products for which use of the Common Logo has been granted by USEPA shall be deemed to comply with the Regulation, unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Until now, the programme in the EU and the US has operated on the basis of self-certification by manufacturers. The success of the programme in the EU is considered to be partly based on such lightweight product registration procedures. However, the US has decided to move to third-party certification for products placed on the US market. Such an approach is not recommended for the EU market. It could have a negative impact on the programme and place SMEs at a disadvantage in relation to big manufacturers

Thus under the new agreement the programme will have to function under two separate product registration systems: products placed on the EU market will need to be registered with the European Commission, while products placed on the US market will need to register through third parties accredited under the US Energy Star Programme. This means that the principle of mutual recognition will no longer be applicable.

Other amendments aim at updating the references to existing legislation and to the new agreement, as well as updating the name of the Energy Star Board, and providing a clarification of the responsibilities of the Commission and Member States for the enforcement of the Programme.

The strengthening of public procurement provisions will be covered by the proposal for an Energy Efficiency Directive which addresses public procurement in a comprehensive way. The amended Regulation should take into account the provisions on public procurement in this Directive.

The Commission will continuously monitor the impact of the changes proposed by the US and of the Energy Star Programme on energy savings, manufacturers and compliance. At least two years before the expiry of a new Agreement, it will analyse possible future options for addressing the energy consumption of office equipment, including replacing Energy Star with alternative policy instruments.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal aims at continuing the implementation of an existing programme and therefore has no impact on operational and administrative appropriations and on human resources.

PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 in order to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to a new agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council.

BACKGROUND: office equipment will account for a growing share of energy consumption in future as new applications and functionalities appear. In order to meet the Union target for a 20% reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020 relative to projections, as endorsed at the Spring 2007 European Council, the energy performance of office equipment has to be further optimised.

Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 sets out the rules for implementing the Energy Star programme for office equipment (computers, displays, printers, copiers, scanners, etc.) in the European Union. The Energy Star programme is implemented in the EU on the basis of an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Community on the coordination of energy efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment, which expired in December 2011.

On 12 July 2011 the Council adopted a Decision authorising the Commission to negotiate a new 5-year agreement and the negotiations were concluded on 29 November 2011. It is necessary to amend Regulation (EC) 106/2008 to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to the new agreement.

A proposal for a Council Decision for the signature and conclusion of the new Energy Star

Agreement is presented to the Council with this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the proposal takes into account the experience gained during the first two periods of implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the EU from 2001 to 2010, as well as the consultations with the European Union Energy Star Board. 

The detailed rationale for concluding a  new Agreement continuing the Energy Star Programme for a third period of five years is set out in the Recommendation from the Commission to the Council to open negotiations for the third Energy Star Agreement and in the Communication on the implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the period 2006-2010.

The main points are as follows :

·        Energy Star has been very effective in steering the office equipment market towards greater energy efficiency. It has succeeded in reducing the electricity consumption of office equipment sold in the last 3 years by around 11 TWh, i.e. by approximately 16 %. As a result, more than EUR 1.8 billion have been saved on energy bills and 3.7 Mt of CO2 emissions have been avoided.

·        It provides a flexible and dynamic policy framework which is particularly well suited to fast-evolving products such as ICT (information and communication technology).

·        The EU and the US should continue to cooperate on developing product specifications, so that the same level of requirements can be introduced at approximately the same time by both entities.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 194(1) TFEU.

CONTENT: the primary purpose of this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008 is to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star Programme to the new Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment. 

The only substantive amendment to the proposal is the deletion of Article 4(4) of Regulation 106/2008, which states that office equipment products for which use of the Common Logo has been granted by USEPA shall be deemed to comply with the Regulation, unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Until now, the programme in the EU and the US has operated on the basis of self-certification by manufacturers. The success of the programme in the EU is considered to be partly based on such lightweight product registration procedures. However, the US has decided to move to third-party certification for products placed on the US market. Such an approach is not recommended for the EU market. It could have a negative impact on the programme and place SMEs at a disadvantage in relation to big manufacturers

Thus under the new agreement the programme will have to function under two separate product registration systems: products placed on the EU market will need to be registered with the European Commission, while products placed on the US market will need to register through third parties accredited under the US Energy Star Programme. This means that the principle of mutual recognition will no longer be applicable.

Other amendments aim at updating the references to existing legislation and to the new agreement, as well as updating the name of the Energy Star Board, and providing a clarification of the responsibilities of the Commission and Member States for the enforcement of the Programme.

The strengthening of public procurement provisions will be covered by the proposal for an Energy Efficiency Directive which addresses public procurement in a comprehensive way. The amended Regulation should take into account the provisions on public procurement in this Directive.

The Commission will continuously monitor the impact of the changes proposed by the US and of the Energy Star Programme on energy savings, manufacturers and compliance. At least two years before the expiry of a new Agreement, it will analyse possible future options for addressing the energy consumption of office equipment, including replacing Energy Star with alternative policy instruments.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal aims at continuing the implementation of an existing programme and therefore has no impact on operational and administrative appropriations and on human resources.

PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 in order to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to a new agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council.

BACKGROUND: office equipment will account for a growing share of energy consumption in future as new applications and functionalities appear. In order to meet the Union target for a 20% reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020 relative to projections, as endorsed at the Spring 2007 European Council, the energy performance of office equipment has to be further optimised.

Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 sets out the rules for implementing the Energy Star programme for office equipment (computers, displays, printers, copiers, scanners, etc.) in the European Union. The Energy Star programme is implemented in the EU on the basis of an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Community on the coordination of energy efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment, which expired in December 2011.

On 12 July 2011 the Council adopted a Decision authorising the Commission to negotiate a new 5-year agreement and the negotiations were concluded on 29 November 2011. It is necessary to amend Regulation (EC) 106/2008 to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to the new agreement.

A proposal for a Council Decision for the signature and conclusion of the new Energy Star

Agreement is presented to the Council with this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the proposal takes into account the experience gained during the first two periods of implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the EU from 2001 to 2010, as well as the consultations with the European Union Energy Star Board. 

The detailed rationale for concluding a  new Agreement continuing the Energy Star Programme for a third period of five years is set out in the Recommendation from the Commission to the Council to open negotiations for the third Energy Star Agreement and in the Communication on the implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the period 2006-2010.

The main points are as follows :

·        Energy Star has been very effective in steering the office equipment market towards greater energy efficiency. It has succeeded in reducing the electricity consumption of office equipment sold in the last 3 years by around 11 TWh, i.e. by approximately 16 %. As a result, more than EUR 1.8 billion have been saved on energy bills and 3.7 Mt of CO2 emissions have been avoided.

·        It provides a flexible and dynamic policy framework which is particularly well suited to fast-evolving products such as ICT (information and communication technology).

·        The EU and the US should continue to cooperate on developing product specifications, so that the same level of requirements can be introduced at approximately the same time by both entities.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 194(1) TFEU.

CONTENT: the primary purpose of this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008 is to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star Programme to the new Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment. 

The only substantive amendment to the proposal is the deletion of Article 4(4) of Regulation 106/2008, which states that office equipment products for which use of the Common Logo has been granted by USEPA shall be deemed to comply with the Regulation, unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Until now, the programme in the EU and the US has operated on the basis of self-certification by manufacturers. The success of the programme in the EU is considered to be partly based on such lightweight product registration procedures. However, the US has decided to move to third-party certification for products placed on the US market. Such an approach is not recommended for the EU market. It could have a negative impact on the programme and place SMEs at a disadvantage in relation to big manufacturers

Thus under the new agreement the programme will have to function under two separate product registration systems: products placed on the EU market will need to be registered with the European Commission, while products placed on the US market will need to register through third parties accredited under the US Energy Star Programme. This means that the principle of mutual recognition will no longer be applicable.

Other amendments aim at updating the references to existing legislation and to the new agreement, as well as updating the name of the Energy Star Board, and providing a clarification of the responsibilities of the Commission and Member States for the enforcement of the Programme.

The strengthening of public procurement provisions will be covered by the proposal for an Energy Efficiency Directive which addresses public procurement in a comprehensive way. The amended Regulation should take into account the provisions on public procurement in this Directive.

The Commission will continuously monitor the impact of the changes proposed by the US and of the Energy Star Programme on energy savings, manufacturers and compliance. At least two years before the expiry of a new Agreement, it will analyse possible future options for addressing the energy consumption of office equipment, including replacing Energy Star with alternative policy instruments.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal aims at continuing the implementation of an existing programme and therefore has no impact on operational and administrative appropriations and on human resources.

PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 in order to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to a new agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council.

BACKGROUND: office equipment will account for a growing share of energy consumption in future as new applications and functionalities appear. In order to meet the Union target for a 20% reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020 relative to projections, as endorsed at the Spring 2007 European Council, the energy performance of office equipment has to be further optimised.

Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 sets out the rules for implementing the Energy Star programme for office equipment (computers, displays, printers, copiers, scanners, etc.) in the European Union. The Energy Star programme is implemented in the EU on the basis of an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Community on the coordination of energy efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment, which expired in December 2011.

On 12 July 2011 the Council adopted a Decision authorising the Commission to negotiate a new 5-year agreement and the negotiations were concluded on 29 November 2011. It is necessary to amend Regulation (EC) 106/2008 to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star programme to the new agreement.

A proposal for a Council Decision for the signature and conclusion of the new Energy Star

Agreement is presented to the Council with this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the proposal takes into account the experience gained during the first two periods of implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the EU from 2001 to 2010, as well as the consultations with the European Union Energy Star Board. 

The detailed rationale for concluding a  new Agreement continuing the Energy Star Programme for a third period of five years is set out in the Recommendation from the Commission to the Council to open negotiations for the third Energy Star Agreement and in the Communication on the implementation of the Energy Star Programme in the period 2006-2010.

The main points are as follows :

·        Energy Star has been very effective in steering the office equipment market towards greater energy efficiency. It has succeeded in reducing the electricity consumption of office equipment sold in the last 3 years by around 11 TWh, i.e. by approximately 16 %. As a result, more than EUR 1.8 billion have been saved on energy bills and 3.7 Mt of CO2 emissions have been avoided.

·        It provides a flexible and dynamic policy framework which is particularly well suited to fast-evolving products such as ICT (information and communication technology).

·        The EU and the US should continue to cooperate on developing product specifications, so that the same level of requirements can be introduced at approximately the same time by both entities.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 194(1) TFEU.

CONTENT: the primary purpose of this proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) 106/2008 is to adapt the implementation of the Energy Star Programme to the new Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment. 

The only substantive amendment to the proposal is the deletion of Article 4(4) of Regulation 106/2008, which states that office equipment products for which use of the Common Logo has been granted by USEPA shall be deemed to comply with the Regulation, unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Until now, the programme in the EU and the US has operated on the basis of self-certification by manufacturers. The success of the programme in the EU is considered to be partly based on such lightweight product registration procedures. However, the US has decided to move to third-party certification for products placed on the US market. Such an approach is not recommended for the EU market. It could have a negative impact on the programme and place SMEs at a disadvantage in relation to big manufacturers

Thus under the new agreement the programme will have to function under two separate product registration systems: products placed on the EU market will need to be registered with the European Commission, while products placed on the US market will need to register through third parties accredited under the US Energy Star Programme. This means that the principle of mutual recognition will no longer be applicable.

Other amendments aim at updating the references to existing legislation and to the new agreement, as well as updating the name of the Energy Star Board, and providing a clarification of the responsibilities of the Commission and Member States for the enforcement of the Programme.

The strengthening of public procurement provisions will be covered by the proposal for an Energy Efficiency Directive which addresses public procurement in a comprehensive way. The amended Regulation should take into account the provisions on public procurement in this Directive.

The Commission will continuously monitor the impact of the changes proposed by the US and of the Energy Star Programme on energy savings, manufacturers and compliance. At least two years before the expiry of a new Agreement, it will analyse possible future options for addressing the energy consumption of office equipment, including replacing Energy Star with alternative policy instruments.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal aims at continuing the implementation of an existing programme and therefore has no impact on operational and administrative appropriations and on human resources.