So what''s next on the Ecodesign Directive? The European Commission, we hear, is in the process of finalising draft legislative measures setting minimum energy efficiency requirements for computers and monitors, air-conditioners and water heaters. Member States are likely to give their opinion on the respective measures in the next couple of months. In parallel energy labels for air-conditioners and water heaters are also being discussed, and should be soon adopted for the first time.
After long delays and postponements, the adoption of these measures is more than ever a priority. The Coolproducts for a Cool Planet campaign considers this as a test case for the future of the Ecodesign policy. What remains to be seen is whether the Commission will gather the political will to keep to the current plan, or give in to calls from some industrial lobbies to weaken the policy.
Coolproducts has calculated that more than 50 million tons of annual CO2 savings could be achieved with a good minimum energy efficiency requirement imposed on water heaters alone.