European union efforts to promote more efficient appliances private

Paolo Bertoldi and Randall Bowie, European Commission, Directorate General for Energy

Abstract

This paper presents and discuss the activities and policy measures implemented in the European Union under the PACE programme to transform the market for domestic appliances.

This paper presents the European Union strategy under the PACE programme to transform the market for energy-efficient domestic appliances. Efforts have been initially concentrated on refrigeration appliances; for other appliances such as washing machines, electric water heaters and entertainment electronics actions will be taken during 1997.

The paper focuses on the need to have a combination of policy instruments (energy labels, minimum efficiency standards and demand-pull actions) to transform the market. The main criteria in selecting any policy instrument are: maximum positive effect at the least cost and effort, minimization of unwanted side effects on manufacturers and on consumers and the need to preserve the (Union) internal market.

There is a wide debate at the moment in the European Union on the need for legislation to achieve energy efficiency improvements and on the role of market forces. The paper advocates the need of implementing market-pull activities such as procurement to complement standards and labelling. The possibility of a voluntary agreements with manufacturers to meet regional targets is also investigated as an alternative to mandatory efficiency standards.

The paper presents in detail the experience from refrigeration appliances, including the preliminary results of the labelling scheme, the policy debate which has led to the adoption of minimum efficiency standards.