Assessing the market transformation for domestic appliances resulting from European Union policies

Paolo Bertoldi, European Commission
Paul Waide, PW consulting
Benoît Lebot, International Energy Agency

Keywords

Abstract

Since the launch of the PACE (1989) and SAVE (1992) programmes a great effort has been made to transform the appliances market. Since the adoption of a framework Directive for the labelling of domestic appliances in 1992, the majority of domestic appliances have been labelled. Moreover in 1996 the first minimum efficiency standard for refrigerator was adopted, this entered into force in 1999. In addition starting in 1996 a number of voluntary agreements have been concluded with manufacturers for TVs and VCRs, washing machines, dishwashers, electric storage, water heaters, and audio equipment. Since 1996 EU-wide sales data for appliances are bought and analysed to monitor the market transformation.

The paper will present the first comprehensive analysis of the market transformation resulting from the implementation of EU policies in this area, in particular labelling and mandatory or voluntary standards.