Introducing the Ordinance on energy efficiency labelling of household appliances on Croatian market

M Sc Vesna Kolega, Energy institute Hrvoje Požar, Croatia

Keywords

ordinance on energy efficiency labelling of household appliances, verification and enforcement, market situation

Abstract

The legal basis for the transposition of EU appliances labelling legislation in Croatia is the Energy law which Article 13 says: “All electricity appliances have to be labelled by energy efficiency labels. The contents and design of energy efficiency labels have to be regulated by sub-law document called the Ordinance on Energy Efficiency Labelling of Households Appliances“. On 17th November 2005 the Ordinance on Energy Efficiency Labelling of Household Appliances entered into force (transition period until 1st May 2006) (1). It is based on the Framework Directive 92/75/EEC and implementing Directives 94/2/EC, 95/12/EC, etc for the following appliances: refrigerators and freezers; washing machines; tumble driers; washing/drying machines; dishwashers; electrical ovens; electrical lamps; air-conditioners. Before 1st May 2006, in the majority of larger retail stores in Croatia, the energy efficiency labels were present on strictly voluntary basis. Such labels could be found mainly on refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. Recently, air-conditioners were also very often equipped with labels. These labels were correctly translated in Croatian, although text does not completely match the label defined in the Ordinance on Energy Efficiency Labelling of Household Appliances. Although such labels are not recognized as the appropriate labelling according the Ordinance, they do provide some practical basis for the implementation itself. Since 1st May 2006, although the Ordinance has been fully adopted, there are no valid Croatian labels attached on all displayed appliances in a number of HA stores. Aiming at household appliances market transformation in Croatia, it is very important at the moment to find the best ways for the Ordinance verification and enforcement.