As communicated by Ceced, the home appliance industry is concerned by the European Commission’s decision to propose a new energy label framework regulation. “The proposed regulation will postpone the urgent need to rescale where it is highly needed, such as for washing machines where top classes are overpopulated, and embarks the EU institutions on a lengthy debate”, said Paolo Falcioni, director general of Ceced. “The current framework legislation already has all the flexibility to allow for rescaling, where needed, which would create better transparency for consumers. Right now”. For product categories with an urgent need for rescaling, Ceced would support the swift adoption of product measures having room at the top of the scale to ensure a stable scenario for facilitating innovation and keeping the market competitive. That is also possible – according to Ceced – within the current framework. Furthermore, proposed changes such as replacing labels of appliances that have been already put on the market, would lead to unacceptable retroactive labelling requirements.
On the other hand, Ceced supports the focus on consumer empowerment in today’s proposal of the European Commission “Delivering a new deal for energy consumers” and the energy market design consultation.
“Putting consumers at the heart of a future, flexible and sustainable energy system is essential – said Paolo Falcioni -.The European Commission recognizes the central role of consumers in helping to balance European electricity grids. Smart home appliances can play an important role in this new paradigm. This positive signal needs to be followed up with concrete measures encouraging consumer uptake of smart home appliances, such as reduced electricity tariffs for consumers using smart appliances or incentive schemes for the sale of smart appliances. This can be a great example of sustainable growth combining consumer empowerment, industrial innovation, increased efficiency of the energy system, and job creation”.
