F1Regulation (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

(recast version)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee1,

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty2,

Whereas:

(1)
A number of substantial amendments are to be made to Regulation (EC) No 2422/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on a Community energy efficiency labelling programme for office equipment3. For reasons of clarity, that Regulation should be recast.
(2)

Office equipment accounts for a significant share of total electricity consumption. The various models available on the Community market have very different levels of energy consumption for similar functionalities and there is significant potential for optimising their energy efficiency.

(3)

Improving the energy efficiency of office equipment should contribute to improving the competitiveness of the Community and the security of its energy supply and to protecting the environment and consumers.

(4)

It is important to promote measures aimed at the proper functioning of the internal market.

(5)

It is desirable to coordinate the national energy-efficiency labelling initiatives to minimise the adverse impact on industry and trade of the measures taken to implement them.

(6)

Since the objective of the proposed action, namely to establish the rules for the Community energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve this objective.

(7)

The Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed in Kyoto on 11 December 1997 calls for a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions of the Community of 8 % at the latest during the period 2008 to 2012. In order to achieve this objective, stronger measures are required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions within the Community.

(8)
Furthermore, Decision No 2179/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998 on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development ‘Towards sustainability’4 indicated as a key priority for the integration of environmental requirements in relation to energy the provision of energy efficiency labelling of appliances.
(9)
The Council Resolution of 7 December 1998 on energy efficiency in the European Community5 called for the increased use of labelling of appliances and equipment.
(10)

It is desirable to coordinate energy-efficiency requirements, labels and test methods wherever appropriate.

(11)

Most energy-efficient office equipment is available at little or no extra cost and may therefore in many cases pay for any additional cost through electricity savings within a reasonably short time. Energy-saving and carbon dioxide reduction objectives can therefore be achieved in a cost-effective manner in this area, without disadvantages for consumers or industry.

(12)
Office equipment is traded worldwide. The Agreement of 20 December 2006 between the Government of the United States of America and the European Community on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment6 (hereinafter the Agreement) should facilitate international trade and environmental protection for this equipment. The Agreement should be implemented in the Community.
(13)

The Energy Star energy-efficiency label is used worldwide. In order to influence the requirements of the Energy Star labelling programme, the Community should participate in the programme and in drawing up the necessary technical specifications. When setting those technical specifications together with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the Commission should aim at ambitious levels of energy efficiency, in view of the Community's policy of energy efficiency and its energy-efficiency targets.

(14)

An effective enforcement system is necessary to ensure that the energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment is implemented properly, guarantees fair conditions of competition for producers and protects consumer rights.

(15)

This Regulation should apply only to office equipment.

(16)
Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances7 is not the most appropriate instrument for office equipment. The most cost-effective measure for promoting the energy efficiency of office equipment is a voluntary labelling programme.
(17)

The task of contributing to setting and reviewing the common technical specifications should be assigned to an appropriate body, the European Community Energy Star Board, in order to achieve efficient, neutral implementation of the energy-efficiency labelling programme. That Board should be composed of national representatives and representatives of interested parties.

(18)
It is necessary to ensure that the energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment is consistent and coordinated with the priorities of the Community policy and with other Community labelling or quality-certification schemes such as those established by Directive 92/75/EEC and by Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme8.
(19)
The energy-efficiency labelling programme should also complement measures taken in the context of Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2005 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products9. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the Energy Star programme and the ecodesign scheme are consistent and coordinated.
(20)

It is desirable to coordinate the Community Energy Star programme based on the Agreement and other voluntary energy-efficiency labelling schemes for office equipment in the Community in order to prevent confusion for consumers and potential market distortion.

(21)

It is necessary to guarantee transparency in implementation of the Energy Star programme and to ensure its consistency with relevant international standards in order to facilitate access to, and participation in, the scheme for manufacturers and exporters from countries outside the Community.

(22)

This Regulation takes into account the experience gained during the initial period of implementation of the Energy Star programme in the Community,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

F1Article 1Objective

This Regulation establishes 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 signed on 10 December 2012 in Brussels and 18 January 2013 in Washington 10 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’).

Article 2Scope

This Regulation shall apply to the office equipment product groups defined in Annex C to the Agreement, subject to any amendment thereof in accordance with Article XII of the Agreement.

Article 3Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:

  1. (a)

    ‘Common Logo’ shall mean the mark depicted in Annex A to the Agreement;

  2. (b)

    ‘programme participants’ shall mean manufacturers, assemblers, exporters, importers, retailers and other persons or bodies that commit themselves to promoting designated energy-efficient office equipment products that meet the Common Specifications defined in point (c) and that have chosen to participate in the Energy Star programme by having registered with the Commission;

  3. (c)

    ‘Common Specifications’ shall mean the energy-efficiency and performance requirements, including testing methods, used to determine qualification of energy-efficient office equipment products for the Common Logo.

Article 4General principles

F11.

The Energy Star programme shall contribute to fulfilling the Member States’ and the Union’s energy-efficiency targets as referred to in Articles 1 and 3 of Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency 11 . It shall be coordinated, as appropriate, 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 of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel 12 , the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products, established by Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council 13 and measures implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products 14 . That coordination shall include the exchange of evidence and, if appropriate, the setting of common levels of specifications and requirements across the different schemes.

2.

The Common Logo may be used by programme participants on their individual office equipment products and on associated promotional material.

3.

Participation in the Energy Star programme shall be on a voluntary basis.

F14.

Other existing and new voluntary energy-efficiency labelling schemes for office equipment products in the Member States may co-exist with the Energy Star programme.

5.

Without prejudice to any Union rules on conformity assessment and conformity marking and/or to any international agreement concluded between the Union and third countries as regards access to the Union market, products covered by this Regulation which are placed on the Union market may be tested by the Commission or Member States in order to verify their compliance with the requirements of this Regulation.

Article 5Registration of programme participants

1.

Applications to become a programme participant shall be submitted to the Commission.

2.

The decision to authorise an applicant to become a programme participant shall be taken by the Commission, after verifying that the applicant has agreed to comply with the Common Logo user guidelines contained in Annex B to the Agreement. The Commission shall publish on the Energy Star web site and shall regularly send to the Member States an updated list of programme participants.

F1Article 6Promotion of energy-efficiency criteria

1.

For the duration of the Agreement, central government authorities within the meaning of Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts 15 shall, without prejudice to Union and national law and economic criteria, specify energy-efficiency requirements not less demanding than the Common Specifications for public supply contracts having a value equal to or greater than the thresholds laid down in Article 7 of that Directive. Contracting authorities at regional and local level shall be encouraged by Member States to use those requirements. This Article shall apply without prejudice to the provisions laid down in Article 6 of Directive 2012/27/EU and in point (c) of Annex III to that Directive.

2.

For the duration of the Agreement the Commission and the other Union institutions shall, without prejudice to Union and national law and economic criteria, specify energy-efficiency requirements not less demanding than the Common Specifications for public supply contracts having a value equal to or greater than the thresholds laid down in Article 7 of Directive 2004/18/EC.

F2Article 7F2Other voluntary energy-efficiency labelling schemes

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F1Article 8European Union Energy Star Board

1.

The Commission shall establish a European Union Energy Star Board (EUESB) consisting of national representatives referred to in Article 9 and representatives of interested parties. The EUESB shall review the implementation of the Energy Star programme within the Union and shall provide the Commission with advice and assistance, as appropriate, to enable it to carry out its role as Management Entity, as referred to in Article IV of the Agreement.

2.

The Commission shall ensure that, to the extent possible in the conduct of its activities, the EUESB observes, in respect of each office equipment product group, the balanced participation of all relevant interested parties concerned with that product group, such as manufacturers, retailers, importers, environmental protection groups and consumer organisations.

3.

The Commission, assisted by the EUESB, shall monitor the market penetration of products bearing the Common Logo and developments in the energy efficiency of office equipment, with a view to the timely revision of the Common Specifications.

4.

The Commission shall establish the EUESB’s rules of procedure, taking account of the views of national representatives in the EUESB.

Article 9National representatives

Each Member State shall designate, as appropriate, national energy policy experts, authorities or persons (hereinafter referred to as national representatives) responsible for carrying out the tasks provided for in this Regulation. Where more than one national representative is designated, the Member State shall determine those representatives' respective powers and the coordination requirements applicable to them.

Article 10Work plan

In accordance with the objective set out in Article 1, the Commission shall establish a work plan. The work plan shall include a strategy for the development of the Energy Star programme, which shall set out for the subsequent three years:

  1. (a)

    F1the objectives for 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;

  2. (b)

    a non-exhaustive list of office equipment products which should be considered as priorities for inclusion in the Energy Star programme;

  3. (c)

    educational and promotional initiatives;

  4. (d)

    proposals for coordination and cooperation between the Energy Star programme and other voluntary energy-efficiency labelling schemes in Member States.

The Commission shall review its work plan at least once a year and make it publicly available.

F1Article 11Preparatory procedures for the revision of technical criteria

1.

With a view to preparing for the revision of the Common Specifications and of the office equipment product groups covered by Annex C to the Agreement, and before submitting a draft proposal or replying to USEPA in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Agreement and in Council Decision 2013/107/EU of 13 November 2012 on the signing and conclusion of 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 16 , the steps set out in paragraphs 2 to 5 shall be taken.

2.

The Commission may request the EUESB to make a proposal for the revision of the Agreement or of the Common Specifications for a product. The Commission may make a proposal to the EUESB for the revision of the Common Specifications for a product or the Agreement. The EUESB may also make a proposal to the Commission on its own initiative.

3.

The Commission shall consult the EUESB whenever it receives a proposal for revision of the Agreement from USEPA.

4.

When giving their views to the Commission, the members of the EUESB shall take into account the results of feasibility and market studies and best available technology for reducing energy consumption.

5.

The Commission shall take particular account of the objective of setting Common Specifications at an ambitious level, as provided for in Article I, paragraph 3, of the Agreement, with the aim of reducing energy consumption and shall have due regard for the technology available and the associated life-cycle costs. In particular, the EUESB shall, before giving its views on any new Common Specifications, take into account the latest results of ecodesign studies.

Article 12Market surveillance and control of abuse

1.

The Common Logo shall be used only in connection with the products covered by the Agreement and in accordance with the Common Logo user guidelines contained in Annex B to the Agreement.

2.

Any false or misleading advertising or use of any label or logo which leads to confusion with the Common Logo shall be prohibited.

F13.

The Commission shall ensure proper use of the Common Logo by undertaking or coordinating action described in Article IX, paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, of the Agreement. Member States shall take action as appropriate, in particular as described in Article IX, paragraph 5, of the Agreement to ensure conformity with the provisions of this Regulation in their own territory and shall inform the Commission. Member States may refer evidence of non-compliance by programme participants to the Commission for initial action.

F1Article 13Review and revision

Before the Parties to the Agreement discuss its renewal in accordance with Article XIV, paragraph 2 thereof, 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, and assess alternative policy options such as those provided by Union legislation, in particular Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU. The results of such an evaluation and assessment shall be reported to the European Parliament and to the Council at least two years before the expiry of the Agreement.

F2Article 14F2Revision

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Article 15Repeal

Regulation (EC) No 2422/2001 is hereby repealed.

References made to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as being made to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in the Annex.

Article 16Final provisions

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

ANNEX

Regulation (EC) No 2422/2001

This Regulation

Article 1

Article 1

Article 1, last sentence

—

Article 2

Article 2

Article 3

Article 3

Article 4(1)

Article 4(1)

Article 4(2)

Article 4(2)

—

Article 4(3)

Article 4(3)

Article 4(4)

Article 4(4)

Article 4(5)

Article 5

Article 5

Article 6(1)

—

Article 6(2)

—

Article 6(3)

Article 6

Article 7

Article 7

Article 8(1)

Article 8(1)

Article 8(2)

—

Article 8(3)

Article 8(2)

—

Article 8(3)

Article 8(4)

Article 8(4)

Article 8(5)

—

Article 9

Article 9

Article 10, first paragraph, introductory part

Article 10, first paragraph, introductory part

Article 10, first paragraph, first indent

Article 10, first paragraph, point (a)

Article 10, first paragraph, second indent

Article 10, first paragraph, point (b)

Article 10, first paragraph, third indent

—

—

Article 10, first paragraph, point (c)

Article 10, first paragraph, fourth indent

Article 10, first paragraph, point (d)

Article 10, second paragraph, first sentence

Article 10, second paragraph

Article 11, first paragraph

Article 11(1)

Article 11, point 1

Article 11(2)

Article 11, point 2

Article 11(3)

Article 11, point 3, first sentence

Article 11(4)

Article 11, point 3, second sentence

Article 11(5), first sentence

—

Article 11(5), last sentence

Article 12

Article 12

Article 13

—

—

Article 13

Article 14, first paragraph

Article 14

Article 14, second paragraph

—

—

Article 15

Article 15

Article 16

Annex

—